Cadexomer Iodine and Biofilms

Anyone managing a chronic wound will know that some wounds take longer to heal than expected, and one reason for this may be the presence of biofilm bacteria, which prolongs the inflammatory response and thus prolongs healing.1 Biofilms present several practical problems: they are not visible to the naked eye, swab results are unhelpful, and because the bacteria are protected by an extracellular matrix antibiotics and antiseptics are generally unhelpful in removing them.
The most effective way of removing biofilms is surgical debridement, however, in many cases surgical debridement is not a practical option, either because the clinician is not authorised, or because the patient is unsuitable.
In these situations, cadexomer iodine (IODOSORB) can be used as an effective alternative. Cadexomer has a unique polysaccharide structure which means that in the presence of exudate it is able to absorb debris and cellular material. As it does this, the beads swell and release the iodine in a sustained manner maintaining antibacterial levels (0.9%) over a prolonged period, while not impairing epithelialisation.2
In a recent study3 cadexomer iodine has been shown to be very effective against biofilms, in comparison to other antimicrobial agents such as povidone-iodine and PHMB, where a similar effect was not observed. It is easy to use, and well tolerated4, and a recent systematic review concluded that there is evidence to show cadexomer iodine is effective in promoting healing.5

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