Objective To find out a kind of nasal mucous membrane
disinfectant, which can not only satisfy the physiological demands
of nasal cavity but also posses better anti-bacterial effect for clinical uses. Methods Three kinds of disinfectants, 2% merbromin, 0.5% Iodophor and 0.1% Benzalkonium, were selected for anti-bacterial test both in vivo and vitro, and observe the effects of disinfectants on rats nasal mucous membrane. Results The screening studies showed that 2% Merbromin and 0.5% Iodophor were suitable for nasal cavity mucous membrane disinfection. Further research was continued to observe the possible histomorphological damages and its degree on rats nasal mucous by Merbromin and Iodophor. 24 hours after nasal instillation with 0.2～0.5 ml 2% Merbromin once, Mucosal epithelia and inherent lamina exhibited significant damages under light microscopy observation. Repairment started after 72 hours and fundamentally
recovered on the seventh day. Changes of cellular structure appeared after 24 hours under Tem and recovered after 72 hours. Using the same method to instill Iodophor, only slight damage could be seen under light microscopy and recovered after 72 hours. No ultrastructural changes emerged under TEM. Conclusions 2% Merbromin has transient damage to nasal mucous membrane. 0.5% Idophor has no significant damage to nasal cavity, its' a suitable
disinfectant for nasal cavity disinfection.