The effects of a solid stick antiperspirant containing aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and a deodorant soap containing 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (triclocarban) on aerobic axillary microorganisms were evaluated in male and female subjects (over 18 yr of age) using the Thran spray gun and the mechanical scrub method for bacterial sampling. Results showed that the use of the Thran spray gun technique for sampling compares favorably with the mechanical scrub method in terms of both reproducibility and its ability to detect changes in the population level of cutaneous microorganisms. Evaluation of the stick antiperspirant demonstrated similar log reductions and axillary bacteria when compared to controls using both methods. A 55% reduction in microorganisms was demonstrated 24 h after washing with the deodorant soap. Results suggest that the Thran spray gun method should have broad applications in assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of topically applied products.

IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP