Weekly Chlorhexidine Body Washes to Reduce SSTIs in Military Trainees?

In a randomized trial, the incidence of skin and soft tissue infections was no better with such washes than with standard care.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common in congregate populations, including military trainees. At Fort Benning, Georgia, for example, nearly 10% of soldiers develop an SSTI during basic training; the underlying pathogen most commonly identified is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The optimal strategy for preventing SSTIs in this group remains unclear, although a retrospective study performed at a U.S. Marine Corps training center suggested that weekly chlorhexidine baths were associated with reduced incidence.

To examine this possibility further, researchers conducted a three-group, cluster-randomized trial among male U.S. Army recruits during basic training at Fort Benning between May 2010 and January 2012 (N=…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Weekly Chlorhexidine Body Washes to Reduce SSTIs in Military Trainees?

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Reviewing Author