Antibacterial Wipes May Spread Germs

A new study finds that antibacterial wipes, touted for their ability to kill germs, actually can spread germs after their first use.

The study examined the ability of the wipes to disinfect surfaces at hospitals.

Researchers from the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University in Wales presented their findings on Tuesday at the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston.

Using a three-step method, they examined the ability of several commercially available wipes to disinfect surfaces contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.