title: Molecular effects of povidone-iodine on relevant microorganisms: an electron-microscopic and biochemical study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) on cell ultrastructure by electron microscopy and to monitor changes in enzyme activity and nucleotide efflux. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, medically relevant gram-positive, gram-negative and yeast microorganisms, served as models. In the presence of PVP-I, rapid partitioning of the cytoplasm and pronounced coagulation of nuclear material was noted. E. coli and S. aureus showed no major structural wall damage. C. albicans exhibited a rapid, dose-dependent 'loosening' of the cell wall; cells remained intact without lysis, rupture or wall breakage. Changes in beta-galactosidase and nucleotide concentrations were measured in E. coli. A rapid and dose-dependent loss of cellular beta-galactosidase activity was found, with no increase in the supernatant; loss of cellular nucleotides corresponded with an increase in the supernatant. Electron-microscopic and biochemical observations support the conclusion that PVP-I interacts with cell walls of microorganisms causing pore formation or generating solid-liquid interfaces at the lipid membrane level which lead to loss of cytosol material, in addition to enzyme denaturation.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Therapies Inc., Novato, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schreier
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erdos
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fleischer
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D001671:Biochemistry; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003600:Cytosol / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007466:Iodophors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007466:Iodophors; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D009711:Nucleotides; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D001616:beta-Galactosidase