The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) on cell ultrastructure by electron microscopy and to monitor changes in enzyme activity and nucleotide efflux. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, medically relevant gram-positive, gram-negative and yeast microorganisms, served as models. In the presence of PVP-I, rapid partitioning of the cytoplasm and pronounced coagulation of nuclear material was noted. E. coli and S. aureus showed no major structural wall damage. C. albicans exhibited a rapid, dose-dependent 'loosening' of the cell wall; cells remained intact without lysis, rupture or wall breakage. Changes in beta-galactosidase and nucleotide concentrations were measured in E. coli. A rapid and dose-dependent loss of cellular beta-galactosidase activity was found, with no increase in the supernatant; loss of cellular nucleotides corresponded with an increase in the supernatant. Electron-microscopic and biochemical observations support the conclusion that PVP-I interacts with cell walls of microorganisms causing pore formation or generating solid-liquid interfaces at the lipid membrane level which lead to loss of cytosol material, in addition to enzyme denaturation.
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Schreier et al. (2009) studied this question.