Nineteen strains of pathogenic aerobic bacteria were exposed for fifteen
seconds in vitro to varying concentrations of five antibiotics and of
polyvinyl povidone iodine in saline solution. The presence of human plasma
in the solution (30 per cent by volume) did not affect bacterial
sensitivity to the antibiotics. Most of the bacteria were sensitive to the
solutions during that brief exposure. Bacteria which were more sensitive by
disc sensitivity tests were more sensitive to the solutions. Polyvinyl
povidone iodine sterilized all cultures in concentrations as low as 25 per
cent. It is proposed that the use of appropriate antimicrobial solutions as
wound irrigants may reduce postoperative infection rates by killing
bacteria which contaminate the surface of the wound during operation.