RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Oulé, Mathias K. A1 Azinwi, Richard A1 Bernier, Anne-Marie A1 Kablan, Tano A1 Maupertuis, Anne-Marie A1 Mauler, Stephanie A1 Nevry, Rose K. A1 Dembélé, Korami A1 Forbes, Lorraine A1 Diop, LamineYR 2008 T1 Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride-based disinfectant: a novel tool to fight meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and nosocomial infections JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 57 IS 12 SP 1523 OP 1528 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.2008/003350-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMGH), an antimicrobial biocide of the guanidine family, was tested for efficacy against quality-control strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli. Bactericidal activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and Salmonella choleraesuis was determined using the official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, with modifications as recommended by the Canadian General Standards Board. For MRSA and E. coli, the MIC and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined using the broth dilution technique. The experiments were carried out at 20 °C under a range of conditions including varying PHMGH concentration (0.001–0.1 %), contact time (0.5–10 min) and water type (distilled, tap and hard water). The phenol coefficient values determined with S. aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis and P. aeruginosa were 7.5, 6.1 and 5, respectively. No matter what type of water was used to make the dilutions, PHMGH killed MRSA and E. coli at concentrations as low as 0.04 and 0.005 % (w/v), respectively, within 1.5 min. The mode of action of PHMGH was elucidated by transmission electron microscopy: the cell envelope was broken, resulting in cell content leakage into the medium. The ultimate aim of this study was to show that PHMGH can be used as an odourless, colourless, non-corrosive and harmless disinfectant for hospital and household facilities., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.2008/003350-0