Objectives: On January 12, 2004, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 strain, occurred in a one-layer flock in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It had been 79 years since the last outbreak of avian influenza was confirmed in Japan. By February, 3 additional outbreaks had occurred (1 in Oita Prefecture and 2 in Kyoto Prefecture). Influenza viruses are enveloped viruses and are relatively sensitive to inactivation by lipid solvents, such as detergents. Infectivity is also rapidly destroyed by ether, sodium hypochlorite, povidone-iodine (PVP-I), peracetic acid and alcohol. However, these antiviral effects were only tested against human influenza A viruses. In the present study, the antiviral activity of PVP-I products against H5, H7 and H9 avian influenza A viruses, which had recently been transmitted to humans, were investigated. Methods: The in vitro antiviral activity of PVP-I products (2% PVP-I solution, 0.5% PVP-I scrub, 0.25% PVP-I palm, 0.23% PVP-I gargle, 0.23% PVP-I throat spray and 2% PVP-I solution for animals) against avian influenza A viruses [a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/crow/Kyoto/T2/04 (H5N1; 106.5 EID50/0.1 ml), and 3 low pathogenic avian influenza A viruses, A/whistling swan/Shimane/499/838 (H5N3; 104.8 EID50/0.1 ml), A/whistling swan/Shimane/42/80 (H7N7; 105.5 EID50/0.1 ml) and A/duck/Hokkaido/26/99 (H9N2; 104.8 EID50/0.1 ml)] were investigated using embryonated hen’s eggs. Results/Discussion: Viral infectious titers were reduced to levels below the detection limits by incubation for only 10 s with the PVP-I products used in this study. These results indicate that PVP-I products have virucidal activity against avian influenza A viruses. Therefore, the PVP-I products are useful in the prevention and control of human infection by avian influenza A viruses.

Keywords:
Povidone-iodine, Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Virucidal activity, Antiseptics
1.
Alexander DJ: A review of avian influenza in different bird species. Vet Microbiol 2000;74:3–13.
2.
Subbarao K, Klimov A, Katz J, Regnery H, Lim W, Hall H, Perdue M, Swayne D, Bender C, Huang J, Hemphill M, Rowe T, Shaw M, Xu X, Fukuda K, Cox N: Characterization of an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus isolated from a child with a fatal respiratory illness. Science 1998;279:393–396.
3.
Claas EC, Osterhaus AD, van Beek R, De Jong JC, Rimmelzwaan GF, Senne DA, Krauss S, Shortridge KF, Webster RG: Human influenza A H5N1 virus related to a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Lancet 1998;351:472–477.
4.
Peiris M, Yuen KY, Leung CW, Chan KH, Ip PL, Lai RW, Orr WK, Shortridge KF: Human infection with influenza H9N2. Lancet 1999;354:916–917.
5.
Fouchier RAM, Schneeberger PM, Rozendaal FW, Broekman JM, Kemink SAG, Munster V, Kuiken T, Rimmelzwaan GF, Schutten M, Van Doornum GJJ, Koch G, Bosman A, Koopmans M, Osterhaus ADME: Avian influenza A virus (H7N7) associated with human conjunctivitis and a fatal case of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004;101:1356–1361.
6.
WHO: Influenza A (H5N1), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China – Update. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2003;78:65–72.
7.
Tran TH, Nguyen TL, Nguyen TD, Luong TS, Pham PM, van Nguyen VC, Pham TS, Vo CD, Le TQ M, Ngo TT, Dao BK, Le PP, Nguyen TT, Hoang TL, Cao VT, Le TG, Nguyen DT, Le HN, Nguyen KT, Le HS, Le VT, Do C, Tran TT, de Menno J, Schultsz C, Cheng P, Lim W, Horby P, Farrar J, World Health Organization International Avian Influenza Investigative Team: Avian influenza A (H5N1) in 10 patients in Vietnam. N Engl J Med 2004;350:1179–1188.
8.
WHO: Influenza. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2003;79:145–152.
9.
Wutzler P, Sauerbrei A, Klöcking R, Brögmann B, Reimer K: Virucidal activity and cytotoxicity of the liposomal formulation of povidone-iodine. Antiviral Res 2002;54:89–97.
10.
Kawana R, Kitamura T, Chiba S: Study on anti-viral effect of povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) – Comparison with commercial antisepsis. Clin Virol 1998;26:371–386.
11.
Reed LJ, Muench H: A simple method of estimating fifty percent endpoints. Am J Hyg 1938;27:493.
© 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.