VANTOCIL™ Antimicrobial

The Activity of VANTOCIL IB Antimicrobial Against Some Bacteria Responsible for Producing Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are those that are neither

present nor incubating when a patient enters hospital. Their
effects vary from discomfort for the patient, to prolonged or
permanent disability, and even death. The seriousness of HAIs
for patients and the associated financial impact is exemplified
in the UK:-

Best estimates suggest* that each year there are at least 100,000
cases of hospital acquired infection in England causing around
5,000 deaths, and the cost to the National Health Service may
be as much as GBP1 billion a year. The vast majority of HAIs
are caused by high patient throughput, poor hygiene standards
and the misuse of antibiotics leading to drug resistant bacterial
infections.

Arch Biocides’ antimicrobial VANTOCIL IB (a 20% aqueous

solution of poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride (also
known as PHMB) and chlorhexidine digluconate (20% w/w
active) were independently evaluated against various antibiotic
resistant bacterial species. The results are shown in Tables 1
& 2.

* The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee Report:

The Management and Control of HAI in Acute NHS Trusts In
England 23rd Nov. 2000.
What is VANTOCIL IB?
VANTOCIL IB is a broad spectrum fast acting biocide with
the following key benefits:
• Broad spectrum of bactericidal activity, against both
Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria
• Active against odour-causing bacteria
• Fast rate of kill at low levels
• Activity retained in the presence of organic matter
e.g. blood
• Low corrosivity
• Non-staining
Staphyloccus sp. • No smell; non-volatile
at 40000x
• Extensive toxicity studies suggest acceptable use risk to
humans
• Non-specific mode of action with no known evidence of
organism resistance.

(continued on next page)

Arch® Biocides
VANTOCIL™ Antimicrobial
The Activity of VANTOCIL IB Antimicrobial Against Some Bacteria Responsible for Producing Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)

The Problem Microorganisms Results

Staphylococcus aureus is the most important nosocomial Table 1:
pathogen causing widespread morbidity and mortality in Gram positive bacteria
hospitalised patients. Infections may range from minor skin Organism MIC (ppm product)
and would infections to pneumonia and septicaemia. Resistant VANTOCIL Chlorhexidine
strains are an increasing problem in most hospitals. Strains IB digluconate
Enterococcus faecium NCTC 7171 16 64
demonstrating resistance to methicillin (MRSA) are generally
Enterococcus faecium
resistant to a range of other antibiotics. 32 64
Wild type strain with MAR
Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 16 16
Streptococcus pyogenes is a common cause of sore throat and Staphylococcus aureus
32 64
an occasional cause of skin and wound infections. Although it Wild type epidemic strain EMRSA 15
is not a very common nosocomial pathogen, the severity of the Staphylococcus aureus
32 64
Wild type epidemic strain EMRSA 16
illness which can result from infection makes it an important
Streptococcus pyogenes NCTC 8306 8 4
pathogen to eradicate from the hospital environment. Multiple
Clostridium difficile NCTC 11209 0.5 0.25
resistant strains are rare.
Clostridium perfringens NCTC 8081 4 4

Enterococcus faecium has emerged as an important nosocomial

pathogen over recent years due to their acquired resistance to a
Table 2:
wide range of antimicrobials. Of great concern is the resistance
Gram negative bacteria
of some strains to Vancomycin (VRE).
Organism MIC (ppm product)
VANTOCIL Chlorhexidine
Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens are spore IB digluconate
forming bacteria that cause nosocomial diarrhoea. C.difficile in Acinetobacter baumannii NCTC 19606 64 512
particular is the commonest cause of nosocomial diarrhoea and Acinetobacter baumannii
64 128
is the cause of much morbidity and mortality in elderly Wild type strain with MAR
hospitalised patients. Burkholderia cepacia
512 256
Wild type strain with MAR
Enterobacter cloacae NCTC 11936 64 128
There have been many well documented hospital outbreaks due Enterobacter cloacae
to multi-antibiotic resistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae. A 32 512
Wild type strain with MAR
range of species is responsible for such outbreaks but one of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa
64 256
most problematic species is Enterobacter cloacae. This NCTC 10662
species is commonly resistant to a range of antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
128 256
Wild type strain with MAR

Gram negative, non-fermenting species such as those MAR = Multiple Antibiotic Reistance
belonging to the genera of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and
Burkholderia may pose an even greater threat to hospitalised
patients. These may be resistant to almost all available
antibiotics and thus pose major problems for clinicians.

Arch® Biocides
VANTOCIL™ Antimicrobial
The Activity of VANTOCIL IB Antimicrobial Against Some Bacteria Responsible for Producing Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)

Conclusions
This data, generated by the Microbiology Department of The
Freeman NHS Trust Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK,
clearly demonstrates that VANTOCIL IB has a high level of
intrinsic activity against a range of antibiotic resistant bacteria
responsible for hospital acquired infections.

About Arch Biocides

Arch Biocides is a world leader in the innovative manufacture
and use of antimicrobials. Our philosophy encompasses
start-to-finish protection for our customers’ product lifecycles
plus value-added services in technical support and R&D. Arch
Biocides proud to offer ISO 9002 certification as proof of its
obligation to Total Quality Management in all services.

Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product

information before use.

Some Arch Chemicals, Inc. biocides may not be registered

for certain uses in your country.

Any data relating to test organisms included in this

publication relates to standard laboratory test species and is
provided for information only. No claim of controlling
organisms in public health applications is made by the
inclusion of such data nor should it be implied.

VANTOCIL is a trademark, the property of Arch UK Biocides Ltd., a subsidiary of Arch Chemicals, Inc.

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION

Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) available from Arch Chemicals, Inc. for information on the safe use, handling and
disposal of this product.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION

Arch Chemicals, Inc. ("Arch") warrants that this product conforms to the chemical description on the label and that it is reasonably fit for the
purposes stated on the label when used in accordance with Arch’s directions under normal conditions of use. This warranty does not extend to
the use of this product contrary to label instructions, or under abnormal use conditions, or under conditions not reasonably foreseeable to Arch,
and the buyer or user assumes the risk of any such use. ARCH DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY. Statements herein, therefore, should not be construed as representations or warranties.

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