A comparative study of the bactericidal and growth inhibitory activities of the bisbiguanides alexidine and chlorhexidine.

A comparative study of the growth inhibitory and bactericidal activities of two related bisbiguanide antiseptics, alexidine and chorhexidine is reported. Whilst overall bactericidal activities and MICs were similar, alexidine was more rapid in its action and it is suggested that (1) it might possess additional targets at the cell envelope to chlorhexidine, and (2) the nature of the interaction at the cytoplasmic membrane for the two compounds differs.