Povidone-iodine against sodium hypochlorite as skin antiseptics in volunteers

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the antiseptic efficacy of sodium hypochlorite of electrochemical production with that of povidone-iodine in human voluntaries. METHODS: Three areas of 25 cm2 each were selected from the forearms; 1 was designated as control to determine the baseline bacterial count; and 2 more were selected to swab 10% povidone-iodine or 10% sodium hypochlorite. Every volunteer was studied on 3 separated occasions. Quantitative skin cultures were performed on agar plates containing a neutralizer. RESULTS: Forty-eight healthy subjects were enrolled for a total of 144 determinations for every antiseptic and control. The bacterial counts from the control areas showed a median of 1500 colony-forming units (CFU)/cm2. For the areas treated with sodium hypochlorite, the median was 192 CFU/cm2. For the areas treated with povidone-iodine, the median was 231 CFU/cm2. When the colony counts for the areas treated with antiseptics were compared with those of the controls, the difference was significant (Kruskal-Wallis test (H)5 55.7, P,.001). The difference in counts between the areas treated with antiseptics was not significant (difference in z values,1960). CONCLUSION: The present study did not find differences in antiseptic action between 10% povidone iodine and 10% sodium hypochlorite. American Journal of Infection Control. 2010;38:822-5.