The clinical and bacteriological efficacy of topical
cadexomer iodine on venous
leg ulcers colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated in an open, uncontrolled, multicentre pilot study. Nineteen patients with venous
leg ulcers (median
ulcer area 15.5 cm2) were treated with
cadexomer iodine paste and short-stretch bandaging for 12 weeks or until the
ulcer was healed within that period. Bacteriological cultures for growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
ulcer area measurements were regularly performed during the study period. Seven patients were withdrawn during the study period for the following reasons:
pain in the
ulcer (n = 2),
ulcer enlargement (n = 2), treatment of
cellulitis in non-study
ulcer with a systemic
antibiotic that is effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1), increased
thyroid-stimulating hormone level (n = 1) and poor compliance (n = 1). In addition, one patient was erroneously withdrawn. After one week's treatment, 11 out of 17 patients (65%) had a negative culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At 12 weeks, six out of eight patients (75%) had a negative culture and complete healing was achieved in three patients (16%). The median
ulcer area reduction obtained at 12 weeks was 32.9%. The results indicate that
cadexomer iodine paste might be the treatment of choice for venous
leg ulcers colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, a larger controlled clinical study is needed for final evaluation.