[Bacteriostasis of iodoform in vivo and in vitro]

To investigate the bacteriostasis of iodoform in vivo and in vitro.

Bacteriostasis of iodoform and economycin against different species of bacteria was observed in vitro and the curves of bacteriostasis were obtained for each agent. In rabbit models traumatic liver injury complicated by infection of the wounds with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aerudomonas, common bandage supplemented respectively with 6% iodoform, 10% iodoform, economycin ointment, and saline were applied for wound addressing and the changes in the number of bacterium in the wounds was measured 1, 3, and 7 days later, respectively.

Iodoform showed better bacteriostatic effect than economycin in inhibiting the growth of the majority of the aerobic bacteria in vitro, and its action on anaerobic bacteria appeared similar to the effect of economycin. In rabbit models, iodoform at the concentration of 10% showed significantly better bacteriostatic effect against the 3 species of bacteria than economycin (P<0.01).

Iodoform possesses more potent bacteriostatic effect than economycin against most bacteria.