Iodine-based formulations have been widely used by a
number of markets both as antiseptics and disinfectants. It was first used for the treatment of wounds
about 140 years ago. An iodophor is a mixture of iodine and a solubilizing
agent or carrier which produces a solution that provides a sustained-release
reservoir of iodine and releases small amounts of free iodine in aqueous
solution. Iodine solutions or tinctures have been used primarily as antiseptics
on skin or tissue. The best-known and
most widely used iodophor is povidone-iodine, a compound of
polyvinylpyrrolidone with iodine. This product and other iodophors retain the
germicidal efficacy of iodine but unlike iodine generally are non-staining and
relatively free of toxicity and irritancy.
number of markets both as antiseptics and disinfectants. It was first used for the treatment of wounds
about 140 years ago. An iodophor is a mixture of iodine and a solubilizing
agent or carrier which produces a solution that provides a sustained-release
reservoir of iodine and releases small amounts of free iodine in aqueous
solution. Iodine solutions or tinctures have been used primarily as antiseptics
on skin or tissue. The best-known and
most widely used iodophor is povidone-iodine, a compound of
polyvinylpyrrolidone with iodine. This product and other iodophors retain the
germicidal efficacy of iodine but unlike iodine generally are non-staining and
relatively free of toxicity and irritancy.
Iodine imposes broad spectrum antimicrobial activity due
to its ability to penetrate the cell wall of microorganisms which results in
disruption of protein and nucleic acid structure and synthesis. Povidone-Iodine prevents viruses from
anchoring to host cells by incorporating the free iodine to the viral capsid
surface. In bacteria, povidone-iodine
releases the iodine ion to react with membrane proteins’ amino acid side chains
and thus disrupt cellular vitality. Published reports demonstrate that
iodophors are bactericidal, mycobactericidal, and virucidal but can require
prolonged contact times to kill certain fungi and bacterial spores.
to its ability to penetrate the cell wall of microorganisms which results in
disruption of protein and nucleic acid structure and synthesis. Povidone-Iodine prevents viruses from
anchoring to host cells by incorporating the free iodine to the viral capsid
surface. In bacteria, povidone-iodine
releases the iodine ion to react with membrane proteins’ amino acid side chains
and thus disrupt cellular vitality. Published reports demonstrate that
iodophors are bactericidal, mycobactericidal, and virucidal but can require
prolonged contact times to kill certain fungi and bacterial spores.
Mutagenic properties of Iodophors have been identified
against bacterial and yeast cells; however not tested on human tissue. Allergic
reaction (and in some cases anaphylactic shock) to iodine appear in several
cases of diagnostics upon use of povidone-iodine. From an environmental perspective, aquatic
concentrations of povidone-iodine and/or its degraded by-products are considered
toxic to certain aquatic creatures.
against bacterial and yeast cells; however not tested on human tissue. Allergic
reaction (and in some cases anaphylactic shock) to iodine appear in several
cases of diagnostics upon use of povidone-iodine. From an environmental perspective, aquatic
concentrations of povidone-iodine and/or its degraded by-products are considered
toxic to certain aquatic creatures.
Here’s how we would score Iodophors on the key decision
making criteria:
making criteria:
• Speed of Disinfection – B
o Contact times will be dependent upon concentration and
formulation
formulation
o Hand Sanitizing formulations generally carry a 30 second sanitizing claims
• Spectrum of Kill – B to C
o Efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi has been
shown but is dependent upon formulation and concentration
shown but is dependent upon formulation and concentration
• Cleaning Effectiveness – C to D
o Iodine itself widely stains surfaces
o Any cleaning efficacy that may be present in Iodophors
solutions would be as a result of surfactants included in the formulation
solutions would be as a result of surfactants included in the formulation
• Safety Profile – B
o Allergic reactions to iodine have been well documented
o Mutagenic properties of Iodophors have been identified
against bacterial and yeast cells; but not verified on human tissue
against bacterial and yeast cells; but not verified on human tissue
• Environmental Profile – D
o Povidone-iodine and/or its degraded by-products are
considered toxic to certain aquatic creatures
considered toxic to certain aquatic creatures
• Cost Effectiveness – B to C
o Products are available from a number of suppliers
**For more in-depth scientific information about Alcohol
and other disinfectant chemistries, stay tuned to
www.infectionpreventionresource.com.
and other disinfectant chemistries, stay tuned to
www.infectionpreventionresource.com.
