TR
EN
Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates
Abstract
Objective: The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains in healthcare facilities presents a significant challenge for infection management. Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), a next generation antiseptic, offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in addition to low cytotoxicity and environmental safety. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of PHMB against both standard bacterial strains and clinical isolates, with a focus on its long-term inhibitory effects and concentration-dependent activity.
Material and Methods: Five standard bacterial strains and five clinical isolates were exposed daily to PHMB at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% over a 14-day period. Colonyforming units (CFU) were quantified following exposure durations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 30 min, and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined for all strains.
Results: PHMB demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against all tested strains. Concentrations of 0.1% achieved complete growth inhibition throughout the 14-day period. However, at the lowest concentration (0.01%), regrowth was observed from day 10 onward for Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus faecalis. Significant reductions in CFU counts were noted within the first 5 to 10 min of exposure at all concentrations.
Conclusion: PHMB demonstrated rapid and potent antibacter ial activity against both standard bacterial strains and clinical isolates, even at low concentrations. Its effectiveness at low con centrations provides significant advantages in terms of reducing cytotoxicity and environmental impact. Further research is war ranted to optimise dosing regimens, evaluate the risk of resistance development, and assess the long-term safety of PHMB to fully realise its clinical potential.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 28, 2025
Submission Date
April 21, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 19, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 3
APA
Taşcıoğlu, D. A., İmadoğlu Yetkin, G., Kılınç, E., & Karacan, B. (2025). Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, 8(3), 163-167. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666
AMA
1.Taşcıoğlu DA, İmadoğlu Yetkin G, Kılınç E, Karacan B. Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025;8(3):163-167. doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666
Chicago
Taşcıoğlu, Didem Akal, Gülay İmadoğlu Yetkin, Evren Kılınç, and Burak Karacan. 2025. “Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8 (3): 163-67. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666.
EndNote
Taşcıoğlu DA, İmadoğlu Yetkin G, Kılınç E, Karacan B (October 1, 2025) Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8 3 163–167.
IEEE
[1]D. A. Taşcıoğlu, G. İmadoğlu Yetkin, E. Kılınç, and B. Karacan, “Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates”, Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 163–167, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666.
ISNAD
Taşcıoğlu, Didem Akal - İmadoğlu Yetkin, Gülay - Kılınç, Evren - Karacan, Burak. “Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8/3 (October 1, 2025): 163-167. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666.
JAMA
1.Taşcıoğlu DA, İmadoğlu Yetkin G, Kılınç E, Karacan B. Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025;8:163–167.
MLA
Taşcıoğlu, Didem Akal, et al. “Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 3, Oct. 2025, pp. 163-7, doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666.
Vancouver
1.Didem Akal Taşcıoğlu, Gülay İmadoğlu Yetkin, Evren Kılınç, Burak Karacan. Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) Against Multidrug-Resistant and Standard Bacterial Isolates. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025 Oct. 1;8(3):163-7. doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1680666