British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 1(2): 93-95, 2010 ISSN: 2044-2467 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2010 Submitted date: May 20, 2010 Accepted date: August 21, 2010 Published date: November 15, 2010 Corresponding Author: A.S. Yakubu, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Theriogenology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Tell: +2347038417775 93 Comparative Analysis of Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Povidone Iodine and Chloroxylenol as Scrubbing Solution 1 A.S. Yakubu, 1 A.A. Abubakar, 2 M.D. Salihu, 1 A. Jibril and 1 I. Isah 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Theriogenology 2 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Abstract: The study was carried out to determine the efficacy of stock concentration of the commonly used disinfectant as scrub solution for surgical site in goats. The evaluation of efficacy and safety of commercially available disinfectant and antiseptic (0.3% Chlorhexidine gluconate, 0.4% Chloroxylenol and 4% Povidone iodine) as scrub solution for surgical site, using stock concentration was assessed in thirty (30) Red Sokoto goats undergoing non elective surgical procedures at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Zonal Veterinary Clinic, Sokoto. Colony counting was used to quantify skin bacteria Colony Forming Unit (CFU) at surgical site before and after skin preparation. Reduction of CFU before and after preparation was significant with all the three disinfectants compared (p<0.05) and the result shows that Povidone iodine and Chloroxylenol to be less effecacious than Chlorhexidine gluconate when mean colony forming unit after two minute of preparing the surgical sites. Key words: Chlorhexidine gluconate, chloroxylenol, povidone iodine, red sokoto goat, scrubbing solution, surgical site INTRODUCTION Antiseptic and disinfectants are chemical agents used to reduce the microbial load of a surface, either living or inanimate object, depending on the concentration they can be bacteriacidal or bacteristatic (McDonnell and Russell, 1999; McDonnell, 2007). Disinfectant and antiseptic were in used hundred years ago for antisepsis, disinfection and preservation (Block, 2001). The first germicide was deodorant, because foul odors are associated with disease, chlorinated soda (NaCl and NaCO 3 ) was used on infected wound in the 19th century and was recommended to purify drinking water. In recent years, especially in the recognition of importance of nosocomial infection and the need to minimize the transfer of organisms to susceptible patient, those individuals whose clinical management has resulted in suppression of normal immunity are particularly at risk of nosocomial infection, however it has been realize that some agents previously considered safe like hexachlorophene, produce toxic effects with prolong usage (Russell, 2002; McDonnell, 2007). There are several mode of action by which these agents function; it could either be by alkylation or by affecting the cell permeability and interaction with bacterial membranes, thus causes leak in cell membrane, they could also act by denaturing protein content of microorganism (McDonnell and Russell, 1999; Russell, 2002). Establishment of the most effective scrubbing solution when use in stock concentration, among the commonly used preparations at surgical site will help in prevention, reduce the cases of surgical site infection, decrease cost of treatment and the death of animals due to surgical infection. The outcome of this study may help in reducing post surgical complications that are related to surgical site infection such as wound dehiscence. Due to increase in surgical wound complications especially surgical site that lead to economic losses as a result of prolong hospital over stay and losses due to death of many animals; the need for aseptic technique is however imperative. The efficiency of various antiseptics and disinfectants has been determined by various researchers using different concentrations based on their environments. Most cases presented to our Veterinary Teaching Hospital, are emergency cases ranging from dystocia to a highly devitalized patients involved in road traffic accident that need an emergency surgical intervention. Patients were prepared aseptically based on previous predetermined concentrations, yet they come down with complications related to infection few days after surgery. Therefore, this research intend to test the use of stock concentrations of some commercially available antiseptic or disinfectants used as scrubbing solution. The study is aimed at determining the safety and efficiency of stock concentration of most commonly used disinfectants as scrub solution for surgical sites,