The Use of Phenanthroline Metal Chelates for the Control of Topical Infections Due to Bacteria, Fungi and Protozoa

Clinical trials have been conducted to determine the value of the nickel (II) and copper (II) chelates of 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl–1, 10-phenanthroline in controlling or eradicating infection due to selected bacteria, fungi or protozoa. The Ni(ll) chelate (“Niphen”) is as effective as hexachiorophene in the prophylaxis of staphylococcal infection in the newly born and in patients undergoing elective obstetric or gynaecological surgery; the chelate is also beneficial in controlling secondary infection in adolescents with acne vulgaris of long standing. The Cu(ll) chelate (“Cuphen”) is especially effective in eradicating chronic monilial infection of the nail and surrounding soft tissues. Both compounds provide rapid relief of symptoms in patients with chronic monilial or trichomonal vaginitis, but the Cu(ll) chelate is the more effective in monilial vaginitis; it has eradicated the infection in a number of patients who had not responded to conventional therapy. No toxic manifestations were observed with either substance in any clinical trial. It is considered that these phenanthroline metal chelates warrant more extensive clinical trial in the prophylaxis or treatment of topical Infections of skin or mucous surfaces. This applies especially to chronic monilial infections, which are frequently difficult to cure with current forms of therapy.