Antiseptics in the treatment of bacterial peritonitis in rats.

A controlled mixed peritoneal infection was produced by inoculation of bacteria into the peritoneum and peritonitis was allowed to become established. A laparotomy was performed and peritoneal toilet with a variety of agents was carried out. Local povidone-iodine in the inflamed peritoneum proved to be not only of no benefit but, in fact, to be toxic. In the standard concentrations recommended it proved lethal. Noxythiolin 2.5 per cent also had no beneficial effect. There was a significant difference between the effect of povidone-iodine when instilled into an inflamed peritoneum and instillation into the intact peritoneal cavity. We would advise caution in the use of these antiseptics in any situation in which local defence mechanisms have been compromised as a result of established infection.