Comparative analysis on the antibacterial activity of some conventional medicated soap

The comparative study of the antibacterial activity of eight selected medicated soaps was evaluated for their antibacterial activity against bacteria of significance in wound infections and normal skin flora. This study was carried out to compare the antibacterial effect of the soaps and also validate the reported usefulness of the medicated soaps. Antibacterial activity test was carried out using agar plate diffusion method. Clinical isolates used include Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while isolates from normal skin flora used include Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter kobei, Enterobacter xiangfangensis, Proteus hauseri. All the soaps were found to possess varying antimicrobial activity in a concentration and organism dependent manner. Two and three out of the eight samples showed no excellent antimicrobial; activity against the skin and wound isolates respectively. The study showed that the tested soaps possessed antibacterial properties and they can be useful in the treatment and management of skin (wound) infections caused by bacteria if well prepared with the appropriate plant materials to target specific causative organisms.  However prolonged usage of antibacterial soaps should be discouraged as this could result in the emergence of drug resistant bacteria.