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Benzalkonium Chloride as a Source of Infection

List of authors.
  • Major Walter F. Malizia, M.S.C., USA†,
  • Captain Eugene J. Gangarosa, M.C., USA‡,
  • and Alex F. Goley, M.D.§

BENZALKONIUM chloride is widely used as a germicide in clinical medicine. When used correctly it is an agent of proved effectiveness, but its misuse can result in severe and even fatal infections.1 This study records 2 separate incidents at Walter Reed Army Hospital occurring approximately a year apart in which benzalkonium chloride¶ was incriminated as the source of contamination. In the first incident, 11 patients from the gastrointestinal and hematologic wards apparently acquired infections from solutions of benzalkonium chloride that were used for skin disinfection. The second incident occurred in the delivery room, but no known infections were recorded, mainly . . .

Funding and Disclosures

* From the Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

¶ In the form of Zephiran, Winthrop Laboratories, New York City.

We are indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Hinton J. Baker, chief, Department of Bacteriology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D. C., for assistance in carrying out this study and to Mrs. Angela D. Kennedy and Miss H. Louise Maddox for technical assistance.

Author Affiliations

WASHINGTON, D. C.

† Bacteriologist, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

‡ Clinical liaison officer, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

§ Assistant resident in medicine, Grace-New Haven Community Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut.

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