It is now well known that the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets and physical contact from contaminated surfaces to the mucosa. Among various measures to prevent the spread of this virus, hand hygiene and oral decontamination play a key role. The researchers thus evaluated the in vitro virucidal activity of topical and oral Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) products against SARS-CoV-2.Four PVP-I products [BETADINE antiseptic solution (PVP-I 10% w/v), BETADINE antiseptic skin cleanser (PVP-I 7.5% w/v), BETADINE Gargle and mouth wash (PVP-I 1.0% w/v) and BETADINEthroat spray (PVP-I 0.45% w/v)] were tested at the Animal Biosafety Level (ABSL) 3 facility in Singapore. They used suspension assays to assess the virucidal activity of PVP-I against SARS-CoV-2. Products were tested at a contact time of 30 s for virucidal activity. Viral titres were calculated using the Spearman-Kärber method and reported as median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50)/mL. The results demonstrated that all four products [antiseptic solution (PVP-I 10%), skin cleanser (PVP-I 7.5%), gargle and mouth wash (PVP-I 1%) and throat spray (PVP-I 0.45%)] achieved ≥ 99.99% virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2, corresponding to ≥ 4 log10 reduction of virus titre, within 30 s of contact. This study supports rapid and effective virucidal activity of PVP-I against SARS-CoV-2. Various PVP-I-based products are widely available for medical and personal use for hand hygiene and oral decontamination. These products could be integrated into infection control measures in hospitals and community for Covid-19.

Source: Infect Dis Ther. 2020 Sep;9(3):669-675.