Antiseptics News and Research

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Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by their ability to be transported through the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects. Some antiseptics are true germicides, capable of destroying microbes (bacteriocidal), whilst others are bacteriostatic and only prevent or inhibit their growth.

Chlorhexidine reduces umbilical cord infections in newborns

A new Cochrane review finds that chlorhexidine likely cuts umbilical cord infection rates by about 29% in low- and middle-income countries, and may reduce newborn deaths.

25 Mar 2026

Herbal garlic mouthwash emerges as a potential alternative to chlorhexidine

Garlic extract demonstrates antimicrobial efficacy comparable to other widely used antiseptics and disinfectants, such as chlorhexidine, according to University of Sharjah medical scientists.

19 Nov 2025

New antimicrobial compounds offer safer solution for bovine mastitis

The dairy industry has been plagued by a persistent global problem for decades - bacterial infection of cow udders that significantly reduces milk production.

10 Oct 2025

Monoclonal antibody delivered through the nose blocks hay fever in mice

Approximately 40% of the European population are allergic to pollen, and their symptoms cause an estimated loss of 100 million school- and workdays every year.

11 Jul 2025

Study reveals resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to common cleaning agents

A new study reveals widespread resistance of a major bacterial pathogen to the active ingredients in cleaning agents commonly used in hospitals and homes.

25 Oct 2024

Simple pre-surgical protocol can help prevent dangerous post-surgical infections

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) demonstrates the use of a simple pre-surgical infection prevention protocol to prevent dangerous post-surgical infections.

28 Mar 2024

$Large trial finds iodine-based antiseptic to be more effective for closed fracture surgery$

Large trial finds iodine-based antiseptic to be more effective for closed fracture surgery

A large multicenter clinical trial co-led by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers large multicenter clinical trial co-led by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers found that an antiseptic containing iodine resulted in about one-quarter fewer post-surgical infections in patients with limb fractures compared to another frequently used skin antiseptic.

2 Feb 2024

Daily toothbrushing in hospitals linked to significant drop in pneumonia cases and ICU mortality rates

Study shows that daily toothbrushing significantly reduces the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), especially in mechanically ventilated patients, leading to shorter ICU stays and lower ICU mortality rates.

19 Dec 2023

Study identifies potential new way to protect premature babies from deadly infection

Premature babies in neonatal care units are extremely vulnerable, and susceptible to life-threatening infections.

4 Oct 2023

Updated advice to prevent healthcare-associated infections focuses on hand hygiene

Five medical organizations are recommending updated best practices for hand hygiene to protect patients and staff in healthcare settings.

8 Feb 2023

Saline nasal irrigation after COVID-19 diagnosis reduces hospitalization

Starting twice daily flushing of the mucus-lined nasal cavity with a mild saline solution soon after testing positive for COVID-19 can significantly reduce hospitalization and death, investigators report.

13 Sep 2022

Sore throat lozenges and sprays provide only a small reduction in throat pain

It's hard to get through a winter without suffering sore throat, but luckily they normally get better within a few days.

15 Jul 2022

Iodine deficiency may be making a comeback due to changing eating habits in Canadian communities

Iodine deficiency, a public health concern resolved decades ago, may be making a comeback due to changing eating habits, according to new findings by McMaster University researchers.

11 Jul 2022

Researchers evaluate artemisinin for COVID-19 management

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of artemisinin-based antimalarials in the management of COVID-19.

16 Jun 2022

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on oral health

New research examined SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on oral health and suggests that survival against the infection may be partially dependent on such factors.

1 Dec 2021

COVID-19 patients' eyes and tears can be infected with SARS-CoV-2

A new study investigates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in tears and eye secretions and describes the ocular symptoms in patients with COVID-19.

31 Oct 2021

Is liquid chalk an effective disinfectant of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses?

A recent study, published in the American Society for Microbiology’s journal, mSphere, evaluated the use of many liquid chalk products as antiseptics against the transmission of highly pathogenic human viruses such as influenza A virus (H1N1), SARS-CoV-2, (IAV), and norovirus in a mouse norovirus (MNV) model. The researchers applied chalk before or after virus inoculum and determined the recovery of infectious virus to mimic its use in the gym setting.

22 Jun 2021

Researchers offer large-scale screening of potential broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

A new study describes the identification of new compounds from a library, with inhibitory activity against several coronaviruses. This study shows the utility of this method, besides identifying compounds that not only inhibit viral shedding in SARS-CoV-2 cultures, but have an immunomodulatory effect that may be useful in mitigating the damaging cytokine storm typical of severe or critical COVID-19.

2 Apr 2021

Study shows link between periodontitis and COVID-19 complications

COVID-19 patients are at least three times more likely to experience complications if they also have gum disease, according to research published today in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology.

2 Feb 2021

Disinfectants with "virucidal activity against enveloped viruses" effective against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study demonstrated that two commercially available surface disinfectant formulations and one hand disinfection formulation that claim "virucidal activity against enveloped viruses" are effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Their study has been published on the preprint server bioRxiv.

11 Nov 2020