Impact of Chlorhexidine Digluconate on Bacterial DNA Preservation and PCR Efficiency

Introduction . A 0.05% solution of chlorhexidine digluconate (CD) is one of the most commonly used antiseptics, however it is unclear whether CD has an inhibitory effect on nucleicacid amplification during polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim of the study . To evaluate the impact of chlorhexidine digluconate on bacterial DNA preservation and PCR efficiency. Materials and methods . The susceptibility of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli mixture to 0.05% CD solution was studied after 1, 2, and 7-day of exposure in a refrigerator and freezer. Results . The CD solution did not cause PCR inhibition or destruction of bacterial DNA of any tested bacterial groups after 1, 2, or 7 days of exposure under the refrigerator and freezer conditions. Conclusions . The results obtained allow to interpret PCR tests for bacterial infections and the microbiota composition in a regular way, even after pretreatment of the mucosa with a 0.05% chlorhexidine digluconate solution.