Triclosan, Triclocarban, and the Microbiota

Triclosan (5-chloro-2 (22,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent that is found in thousands of common household products, including deodorants, toothpaste, "antibacterial" soaps, cleaning products, kitchen utensils, bedding, socks, trash bags. The benefits of triclosan have not been proven except in reducing plaque and gingivitis when used in toothpaste. In this study, the investigators intend to look at whether exposure to triclosan changes the colonizing flora of the skin, gut and mouth as well as changes in certain blood hormone levels, including adipocytokines, androgens, and inflammatory markers. Changes in the gut microbiota have been associated with a variety of disease states such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer. Additionally, reductions in the microbiome diversity have been associated with obesity.