Study of the Acute Effects of Povidone-Iodine on Conjunctival Bacterial Flora.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this laboratory study was to assess the effect of povidone-iodine (PI) use topically on the conjunctiva in regard to needle bore contamination and to compare these results with our previous findings from an evaluation of bacterial contamination following gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin administration.


METHODS
We performed 100 conjunctival 27-gauge needle penetrations of both eyes of 13 fresh cadavers. Eyes were then soaked in 10% PI, after which conjunctiva was again penetrated 100 times. After conjunctival penetration, the needles were irrigated, and the irrigant was assessed for bacterial growth. Results were compared with previous work assessing fluoroquinolone effectiveness through the same model.


RESULTS
We observed a 28% (P = 0.003) decrease in bacterial growth and 40% (P < 0.0001) decrease in colony counts after PI placement. Differences between the effect of PI versus moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a greater decrease in bacterial load after treatment with PI for surface cultures than for cultures obtained through a needle bore passed through the conjunctiva. PI is a superior approach to topical antibiotics to decrease conjunctival bacterial load.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jeff H
JH
Pettey
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mark D
MD
Mifflin
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah.
Randall J
RJ
Olson
D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002102:Cadaver; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D006801:Humans; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D009339:Needles / Q000382:microbiology; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D000077266:Moxifloxacin