Antipathogenic coating agents to improve the innate hand-barrier mechanism

Abstract

The human skin surface has an innate barrier mechanism against pathogens. Here, we developed an antipathogenic coating agent containing lactic acid (LA) and hexa-oxyethylene lauryl ether (C12EO6) by reproducing the innate hand-barrier mechanism. By reinforcing the hand barrier, we created a skin surface environment unsuitable for pathogen survival. An ex vivo study using an autopsy skin specimen demonstrated that the application of 1% LA + 0.2% C12EO6 on the skin surface reduced the survival time of Serratia marcescens, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and influenza virus from 283.9 to 9.0 h, 10.8 to 0.3 h, and 1.8 to 0.2 h, respectively. In a clinical study, the count of viable Serratia marcescens was significantly reduced on skin coated with 1% LA + 0.2% C12EO6 (log reduction of 4.27 ± 0.39 in a 5 min reaction), demonstrating strong antibacterial activity. This strong antibacterial activity was maintained for >2 h on the skin surface. Additionally, 1% LA + 0.2% C12EO6 caused exceptionally low skin irritation. Hence, its application can greatly shorten pathogen survival time on the skin and can create and maintain a skin surface environment unsuitable for pathogen survival, thereby complementing current hand hygiene practices and achieving enhanced infection control.