Cationic antiseptics: diversity of action under a common epithet

Cationic antimicrobials have been in general use within clinical and domestic settings for over half a century. Recently, the use of antiseptics and disinfectants has been questioned in such settings because of the possibility that chronic exposure of the environment to such agents might select for less susceptible strains towards these agents and towards third party antibiotics. Whilst no supportive evidence has emerged from retrospective field studies of high use environments such debate has tempered new applications for these molecules. In the clinic, use of antiseptics, together with products, such as dressings, catheters and sutures, which are impregnated with biocides has increased. Prominent amongst…