Antibacterial activity of some “medicated soaps” on Staphylococcus spp. skin flora from inhabitants of the Buea health district, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Skin diseases, often caused by bacteria, are very common globally. Medicated soaps are used as a means to prevent or treat skin diseases. The Cameroonian market is flooded with different types of “medicated soaps” from different sources and the local consumers buy and use them based on recommendations or manufacturer’s claim stated on the packages. Data or reports on the safety and efficacy of the different “medicated soaps” used in Cameroon are not readily available for the consumers. This study was aimed at verifying the antibacterial activity of some commonly used “medicated soaps” (Tura, Netskin, Maera, Santex Tetmosol, Protex, Bactol, Amira and Dettol) on Staphylococcus spp skin flora. From a 100 mg/ml stock solution, 50 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml soap concentrations were prepared. Skin swab was collected from randomly selected ‘healthy’ adults and innoculated onto Mannitol Salt agar. The isolated Staphylococcus spp were subjected to agar well diffusion testing with the various soap concentrations. At 100 mg/ml, Netskin, Tura and Maera showed 100 %, 94.0 % and 44.7 % antibacterial activity respectively on the 67 different Staphylococcus spp tested. Santex, Protex, Dettol, Amira and Bactol did not have antibacterial activity against any of the isolates tested. Netskin recorded the highest mean zone diameter of inhibition (23.35 ± 2.4 mm) at 100 mg/ml. Only Netskin and Tura showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp skin flora tested. Quality checks should be done on every soap to ensure that the soaps meet the minimum standards required to serve their intended purpose. • Netskin and Tura showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp skin flora tested. • Netskin showed antibacterial activity on all (100 %) the Staphylococcus skin flora tested • There was overall decrease in mean zone diameter of inhibition across all soaps with activity as concentration decreased