An in vitro Study of Betadine’s Ability to Eliminate Live Bacteria on the Eye: Should It Be Used for Protection against Endophthalmitis?

Abstract

Background: Povidone-iodide (Betadine) is an antiseptic that is applied topically and has many uses in the medical community, such as in wound care and pre- and post-operative surgical procedures. This study was done to measure the effectiveness of Betadine solutions in inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Methods: The ability of 2.5 and 10% Betadine solutions to inhibit bacterial growth was measured against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. We grew the bacteria independently and together to simulate a hospital environment. Results: All the bacteria showed zones of inhibition. However, discs were also tested for live bacteria using the colony-forming unit assay. Complete killing was only seen for S. aureus with the 10% Betadine solution. All other bacteria showed growth on the disc. Conclusions: This study showed several things. First, the zone of inhibition assay does not give an accurate assessment of antimicrobial properties when used alone and should be followed by a colony-forming unit assay. Second, 2.5% and 5% Betadine do not have effective antimicrobial properties against any of the bacteria tested, and 10% Betadine is only effective against S. aureus and not effective against the other bacteria tested.

Antioxidant Efficacy of Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Promotes Wound Healing in Mice

“…The control group mice were treated with PBS, the positive control group was treated with betadine, and the vehicle control group was treated with vaseline. Betadine (povidone-iodine) ointment was used as a positive control because it is a widely accepted antiseptic and wound-healing agent [ 39 ]. Mice in CAgNPs and AAgNPs groups were treated with C. roseus AgNPs (1% w / w ) and A. indica AgNPs (1% w / w ), respectively.…”