Pneumonia due to aspiration of povidine iodine after induction of general anesthesia -A case report-

Repurposing povidone-iodine to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Accumulating data suggest antiviral effects of povidone-iodine against the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. This narrative review aims to examine the antiviral mechanisms of povidone-iodine, efficacy of povidone-iodine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and safety of povidone-iodine to human epithelial cells and thyroid function.

METHODS

We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for articles containing the keywords "povidone-iodine", "SARS-CoV-2" and "COVID-19" from database inception till 3 June 2021.

RESULTS

Despite in vitro data supporting the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects of povidone-iodine, findings from clinical studies revealed differences in treatment response depending on study settings (healthy vs. hospitalized individuals), treatment target (nasal vs. oral vs. pharynx), method of administration (oral rinse vs. gargle vs. throat spray) and choice of samples used to measure study endpoints (nasopharyngeal vs. saliva). One large-scale clinical trial demonstrated reduction in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among participants who administered povidone-iodine 3 times daily during an active outbreak. Povidone-iodine is also used to disinfect the oro-pharyngeal space prior to dental or otolaryngology procedures. Although existing data suggest minimal impact of povidone-iodine on thyroid function, high-quality safety data are presently lacking.

CONCLUSIONS

Povidone-iodine application to the oropharyngeal space could complement existing non-pharmacological interventions to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection especially in high exposure settings.Key messagesAccumulating data suggest antiviral effects of povidone-iodine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Findings from clinical studies reveal differences in treatment response depending on study settings, treatment target, method of administration and choice of samples used to measure study endpoints. One large-scale clinical trial observed reduction in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among participants who administered povidone-iodine 3 times daily during an active outbreak.Povidone-iodine application to the oropharyngeal space could complement existing non-pharmacological interventions to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection especially in high exposure settings.

Pneumonia due to aspiration of povidine iodine after preoperative disinfection of the oral cavity

INTRODUCTION

Povidone-iodine (PI) is thought to be an effective disinfectant and safe for many surgeons. Aspiration pneumonia is usually caused by gastric contents, but if PI solution will be aspirated, pneumonia or other complications may occur.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of pneumonia to aspiration of PI solution in a 91-year-old man patient who underwent oral-maxillofacial surgery. When surgeons used PI solution for disinfection into the oral cavity, the solution seems to be sinking gradually. The patient showed severe respiratory distress and developed hypoxia. There were much frothy fluids into a tracheal tube. We suctioned through the endotracheal tube and performed bronchoscopy, that revealed a redness which appeared associated to a chemical injury on the left trachea and bronchus. His condition was complicated by ARDS and DIC. Periodical bronchial suction and guideline-based treatments of ARDS were carried in ICU. He recovered without severe complication.

CONCLUSION

Although PI solution for an oral disinfection is used routinely, all operators need to be aware of the risk for PI aspiration.

Effect of oropharyngeal povidone-iodine preventive oral care on ventilator-associated pneumonia in severely brain-injured or cerebral hemorrhage patients: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral care with povidone-iodine on the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a high-risk population.

DESIGN

A multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, two-parallel-group trial performed between May 2008 and May 2011.

SETTING

Six ICUs in France.

PATIENTS

One hundred seventy-nine severely brain-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8) or cerebral hemorrhage expected to be mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomly assigned to receive oropharyngeal care with povidone-iodine (n = 91) or placebo (n = 88) six times daily until mechanical ventilation withdrawal.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Primary endpoint was the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Secondary endpoint included the rates of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome and patient's outcome. The number of patients evaluable for the primary endpoint (preplanned modified intention-to-treat population) was 150 (78 in the povidone-iodine group, 72 in the placebo group). Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 24 patients (31%) in the povidone-iodine group and 20 (28%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.67-1.82]; p = 0.69). There was no significant difference between the two groups for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: eight patients (10%) in the povidone-iodine group and five patients (7%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.48 [95% CI, 0.51-4.31]; p = 0.47). Acute respiratory distress syndrome occurred in five patients in the povidone-iodine group but not in the placebo group (p = 0.06). There was no difference between groups for ICU and hospital lengths of stay, as well as ICU and 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence to recommend oral care with povidone-iodine to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in high-risk patients. Furthermore, this strategy seems to increase the rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Interstitial pneumonitis after betadine aspiration

Disinfection of the face and mucosa lined surfaces of the nose and mouth using a povidone-iodine (PI) or Betadine solution is common practice among head and neck surgeons. Povidone-iodine, which is a highly effective broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, decreases the risk of postoperative surgical wound infection. We report a case of PI aspiration causing an acute chemical pneumonitis after preoperative disinfection of the oral cavity and nasopharynx in preparation for cleft palate repair. As a result of the inflammatory response, the patient required positive pressure mechanical ventilation and a prolonged stay in the pediatric intensive care unit. The patient was safely extubated on hospital day 7 and discharged on hospital day 10 without any long-term sequelae on follow-up. We also review the 3 other reported cases of PI aspiration pneumonitis. Based on our case report and literature review, we conclude that PI aspiration is associated with a high rate of morbidity; however, this should not preclude the use of PI before surgery, given its effectiveness as an oral disinfectant and the exceedingly low incidence of aspiration.