Marquette University study reveals Chlorazene kills more than 99% of bacteria while promoting wound healing
WILMINGTON, OH (February, 2005)-- Wisconsin Pharmacal Company and Ferno-Washington, who respectively developed and distribute Chlorazene® (chloramine – T) whirlpool antiseptic announced today the preliminary results of in vitro studies showing its effectiveness against three pathogens commonly found in or around human wounds. Chlorazene killed more than 99% of laboratory samples of Escherichia coli , Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis without damaging human fibroblasts - cells which are critical for wound healing. Many antibacterial agents are thought to lose their effectiveness in the presence of blood products. In the presence of bovine (cow) blood serum, there was no damage to human fibroblasts.

These are the first results obtained in ongoing studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by a research team headed by Professor Emeritus Luther Kloth, PT, MS, CWS, FAPTA. Kloth is also a Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, is a past President of its Section on Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, and has been credentialed as a Certified Wound Specialist by the American Academy of Wound Management.

In these studies, research team member Dr. Linda Laatsch PhD MT(ASCP)SM applied Chlorazene at concentrations of 200, 300 and 400 parts per million (ppm), to the above-named bacteria for periods up to 20 minutes at temperatures from 36 to 40 degrees Celsius (96.8 to 104.0 degrees Fahrenheit). This resulted in killing of more than 99% of each type of bacterium.

In addition, Phyllis Kirchner BS MT(ASCP)SH also a research team member exposed human fibroblasts to Chlorazene at concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm for 20 minutes at 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit). When the cells were observed under a microscope 48 hours later there were no detectable signs of injury to them.

Many health care practitioners currently believe that tap water, commonly used for hydrotherapy with no antiseptic additive or tap water with either a providone-iodine or diluted bleach added can be just as effective as Chlorazene. To date, this series of experiments has shown that concentrations of bleach at 200 parts per million kill more than 50% of the fibroblasts present. Additional studies will evaluate the ability of water with and without Chlorazene or other additives at a wider array of concentrations, exposure times and temperatures to kill these and other bacteria without interfering with the healing process, even in the presence of blood serum.

The results of the antibacterial studies conducted to date have been submitted to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science for inclusion among the scientific presentations at its Annual Meeting to be held July 26 th-30 th, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. When all of the experiments have been completed and analyzed, they will be submitted for peer review and publication in the scientific literature.

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