Povidone-iodine is a strong and broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that kills gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria, viruses, and protozoans on contact. Povidone-iodine is effective against both MS and Lactobacillus in children when applied topically.

Does iodine cure BV?

One drug of choice is povidone iodine, which has bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal activities and has been successfully used for the treatment of BV [4, 5]. The second strategy aims at increasing the number of organisms of the native vaginal flora by applying lyophi- lized lactobacilli.

What does povidone iodine do to bacteria?

Free iodine, slowly liberated from the povidone-iodine (PVP-I) complex in solution, kills cells through iodination of lipids and oxidation of cytoplasmic and membrane compounds. This agent exhibits a broad range of microbicidal activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.