Virucidal effect of povidone-iodine against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Objective: To evaluate the Antiviral activity of the oral disinfectant povidone-iodine (PVP-I) against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) in vitro.

Methods: The cytotoxic effects of PVP-I were determined in Vero and Calu-3 cell lines using that by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Viral load in the Cell Culture medium above infected cells was quantitated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cytopathic effect (CPE) and viral infective rate were observed by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results: PVP-I at a concentration >0.5 mg/ml in contact with SARS-CoV-2 for 30 s, 1 min, 2 min and 5 min showed up to 99% viral inhibition. For in vitro testing, upon exposure for 1 min, PVP-I showed a virucidal effect. PVP-I had no cytotoxic effects at the range of concentrations tested (0.125-1 mg/ml; CC₅₀ > 2.75 mM) in Vero and Calu-3 cells.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the ideal contact time was 1 min and the optimal concentration was 1 mg/ml, which provides an experimental basis for the use of oral disinfectants in dental hospitals.