Antimicrobial comparison of a new multi-purpose disinfecting solution to a 3% hydrogen peroxide system.

PURPOSE: We compared the antimicrobial activity of a new multi-purpose disinfection solution (OPTI-FREE EXPRESS with ALDOX) to a 3% hydrogen peroxide disinfecting system. The antimicrobial ingredients in the new solution are polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine. METHODS: The solutions were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus sp.., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Candida albicans, Fusarium solani, and two Acanthamoeba species and were evaluated according to the primary criteria of the FDA and ISO contact lens disinfection procedures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: OPTI-FREE EXPRESS with ALDOX (EXPRESS MPDS) Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution provided a multiple spectrum of antimicrobial activity and met the FDA and ISO primary Stand Alone Test criteria for disinfection of contact lenses. EXPRESS MPDS showed disinfection activity in the range of a 3% hydrogen peroxide system. Unlike the 3% hydrogen peroxide system, it retarded contamination during storage.