We investigated the bactericidal effects of antiseptics against methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS)isolated from Osaka Dental University Hospital, and examined the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 5 germicidal hand wash agents to 16 MRS strains. Ethanol with benzalkonium chloride was the most potent, while povidone-iodine also had good antibacterial effect. However, chlorhexidine gluconate had poor activity against all MRS strains tested. Because ethanol with benzalkonium chloride and povidone-iodine were the most effective of the antiseptics tested, they are considered appropriate for preventing nosocomial MRS infections in Osaka Dental University Hospital.
