A comparison of noxythiolin and povidone-iodine in experimentally induced peritoneal infection in mice

A comparative study of the microbial antiadherence capacities of three antimicrobial agents

The antimicrobioal agents, taurolidine, chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine were examined for microbial anti-adherence activity. Two adherence systems were investigated using light microscopic and radio-isotopic assay methods: that of an oral isolate of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells and of a urine isolate of Escherichia coli to human uroepithelial cells. Each of the three agents exhibited significant anti-adherence activity which was concentration dependent. The activity was expressed at subminimum inhibitory concentrations of the agents. Treatment of either the microbial or epithelial cells resulted in significant reductions in adhering micro-organisms. Consideration of the data in respect of the skewness coefficient and percentage clear epithelial cells indicated that the agents exhibited a broadly based anti-adherence capacity.

Intraperitoneal antiseptics in experimental bacterial peritonitis

A model of bacterial peritonitis, using mice infected with Escherichia coli, has been used to assess the protective effects of intraperitoneal treatment with antiseptics. Of the five antiseptics tested, only chlorhexidine gluconate had any protective effect, concentrations of 0.05 and 0.02 per cent reducing the mortality to 14 and 50 per cent respectively. The other antiseptics, taurolin, noxytiolin, povidone iodine and hypochlorite were all ineffective. Delayed treatment with chlorhexidine was not as effective as instillation immediately postinfection.

Antiseptics in the treatment of bacterial peritonitis in rats

A controlled mixed peritoneal infection was produced by inoculation of bacteria into the peritoneum and peritonitis was allowed to become established. A laparotomy was performed and peritoneal toilet with a variety of agents was carried out. Local povidone-iodine in the inflamed peritoneum proved to be not only of no benefit but, in fact, to be toxic. In the standard concentrations recommended it proved lethal. Noxythiolin 2.5 per cent also had no beneficial effect. There was a significant difference between the effect of povidone-iodine when instilled into an inflamed peritoneum and instillation into the intact peritoneal cavity. We would advise caution in the use of these antiseptics in any situation in which local defence mechanisms have been compromised as a result of established infection.