A study of the effect of povidone-iodine on polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis

Studies were made of the effect of povidone-iodine on polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were incubated with various concentrations of povidone-iodine and allowed to migrate across a membrane towards a chemotactic agent. Chemotactic movement was found to decrease as the concentration of povidone-iodine rose, 75 micrograms/ml completely inhibiting all movement. A concentration of 10 micrograms/ml of povidone-iodine was found actively to repel the white cells. In vivo studies in mice showed a reduction in polymorphonuclear leucocytes at wound surfaces in the presence of povidone-iodine dry powder spray.