Povidone iodine displays excellent antibacterial activity which can against MRSA and MSSA strains with MICs of 31.25 mg/L and 7.82 mg/L, respectively.
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An iodinated polyvinyl polymer used as topical antiseptic in surgery and for skin and mucous membrane infections, also as aerosol. The iodine may be radiolabeled for research purposes.
Povidone iodine is a complex of iodine with povidone. It occurs as a yellowish brown to reddish brown amorphous powder, having a slight characteristic odour. Its solution is acid to litmus. Soluble in water and in alcohol, practically insoluble in chloroform, in carbon tetrachloride, in ether, in solvent hexane, and in acetone. It is an external antiseptic with a broad microbicidal spectrum against bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and yeasts. This gel has about 1.0% available iodine.
Povidone iodine (PI) is frequently used during surgical preparation, postoperative wound cleaning and dressing. It was described by Shelaski about seventy years ago (Shelanski and Shelanski, 1956). PI consists of the complex structure of povidone, a polymer that is structurally similar to plasma proteins, and the iodine element, which has antimicrobial properties. The function of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) used as a polymer includes increasing iodine solubility and penetration, decreasing iodine ion concentration and keeping iodine bound. However, PVP does not have antimicrobial properties. Shelanski defined this complex structure as 'iodophor' (Shelanski and Shelanski, 1956).