[A trial of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) nasal inhalation and gargling to remove potentially pathogenic bacteria colonized in the pharynx].
OBJECTIVE
Aspiration of potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPB) colonized in the upper airway is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia. We hypothesized that PVP-I nasal inhalation is effective in removing PPB from the upper airway. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of PVP-I nasal inhalation.


METHODS
Patients with asymptomatic PPB (MRSA and/or aerobic GNB i.e. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae) colonization in the pharynx were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided randomly into two groups as follows: a PVP-I nasal inhalation group (N group) which was asked to inhale 1% PVP-I solution x 2/day nasally by a jet nebulizer and gargling with PVP-I solution x 2/day, and a control group (C group), which was asked to gargle with PVP-I solution x 2/day. The study period was 2 weeks in both groups.


RESULTS
Group N consisted of 16 cases, which included 9 (56%) cases with chronic respiratory complications and group C consisted of 14 cases which included 6 (43%) cases with complications. In N and C group, PPB disappearance from the pharynx was observed in 44% and 14% of patients after the study period, respectively. In the patients of group N, without chronic respiratory complication, PPB disappeared in 86% ot the cases. There was no adverse effect correlated with PVP-I nasal inhalation.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that PVP-I nasal inhalation is a safe procedure for removing PPB from the upper airway, and this method may contribute to preventing bacterial pneumonia.
Kawana
A
A
Division of Pulmonology, International Medical Center of Japan.
Kudo
K
K
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012449:Safety; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
D009067:Mouthwashes; D011206:Povidone-Iodine