title: The in vitro effective antiviral action of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) may also have therapeutic potential by its intravenous administration diluted with Ringer's solution.
abstract: The use of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is well known in clinical medical practice. In vitro studies of cell cultures infected by HIV and H5N1 virus have shown that PVP-I has an antiviral action, while the cell hosts were not affected and survived. It is therefore worth investigating whether PVP-I, diluted with Ringer's solution, may have a therapeutic effect by parenteral administration. Specifically, the question is whether small concentrations of intravenous PVP-I could be well tolerated by the human organism, and in addition, if it would be possible to detect a beneficial activity. Its intravenous use may have a potential value against infections (by microbes, viruses, fungi and parasites), as well as an anti-inflammatory activity, especially in cases where antibiotics are ineffective. It could be used as a blood disinfectant, for treating burns, for the prevention of cancer, for the therapy of H5N1 influenza after its mutation, and other potential applications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgery Research, University of Athens, Thoma 15B, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece. lamsamb@hol.gr
authors.forename: Labros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabracos
authors.forename: Solomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romanou
authors.forename: Ismene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dontas
authors.forename: Stavroula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coulocheri
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ploumidou
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perrea
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D011206:Povidone-Iodine