Figure 2.

Reduction of Clostridium difficile spores is enhanced in an ex vivo porcine skin model by applying germinants in an ethanol matrix. Sections of porcine skin (1 cm²) were inoculated with 7 log₁₀ colony forming units (CFU) of C. difficile R20291. Then 50 μL of test solution was applied once and rubbed into each skin section until absorbed. After 24 hours of incubation at room temperature, the spores were recovered from skin sections and the log₁₀CFU of viable and germinated spores was determined. The means of data from triplicate experiments are presented. Error bars indicate standard error.