Mouthwash rendered SARS-CoV-2 inactive in “in vitro” studies | Coronavirus



[ad_1]

Certain types of mouthwashes have been shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19, in a study by the University of Cardiff (UK). The authors found “promising signs” in vitro – and I hope the results of the clinical studies prove it.

I study, The virucidal efficacy of the components of the oral rinse against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, has not yet been peer reviewed: it is available for pre-publication on place bioRxiv and was presented for publication in a scientific journal.

In the study, the authors tested seven mouthwashes from different brands that exposed to the virus for periods of 30 seconds, in a laboratory test whose conditions were designed to simulate the oral / nasal cavity in a test tube. And what they concluded is that elixirs that contained at least 0.007% cetylpyridinium chloride were promising in an attempt to inactivate the virus.

The researchers realized that the “exact formulation” of each elixir is important in evaluating its effectiveness and suggest that “individual formulations” are “empirically tested for antiviral activity”. That is, the results of each elixir must not be extrapolated to others: each must be tested individually to determine its effectiveness. Of the seven brands tested, only one is sold in Portugal: Listerine. Two products of this brand have been tested and “Listerine Advanced has proven superior”, capable of “rendering SARS-CoV-2 completely inactive”.

In the study, the authors did not declare any conflicts of interest: they admit they received help from Venture Life Group (owner of Dentyl, an oral hygiene brand) to get “information on the formulation of mouthwashes”, but they were not paid by the company .

Although the initial conclusions are encouraging, it is necessary to “see if they work on patients and that is the goal of the next clinical trial,” said David Thomas, a professor at Cardiff University and another lead author of the study, quoted by the BBC . A clinical trial, to be conducted at the University Hospital in Wales, will determine whether the elixir helps reduce the levels of the virus in the saliva of covid-19 positive patients and how long these effects last – and the first results should be published in the year. next one.

The use of these substances is limited to prevention: they do not serve as a treatment, as they do not reach the lungs, the authors warn.

Nick Claydon, a dentist quoted by the BBC, says these findings are “of great value” and that these types of elixirs can become “an important part of people’s routine, along with hand washing, physical distance and the use of mask, both now and in the future ”.

University of Pennsylvania study with similar results

The Cardiff University study cites an earlier study from the University of Pennsylvania (USA), which had already had very similar results with Listerine mouthwashes. This first study, published in September in the scientific journal Journal of Medical Virology, has tested various types of mouthwashes and mouthwashes and suggests that they may be effective against human coronaviruses. Here’s an important difference between the two studies: the University of Pennsylvania studies focused on the effects on human coronaviruses, but not specifically on SARS-CoV-2, which causes covid-19.

Elixirs and mouthwash solutions can be useful for “reducing the viral load” of an infected person and help prevent the spread of the virus, reads the press release sent by the University of Pennsylvania. “Nasal solutions and mouthwashes, which directly impact the largest sites for the reception and transmission of human coronaviruses (HCoVs), can provide an additional layer of protection against the virus. [que causa a covid-19]”, In turn, is read in the study.

Products evaluated include “1% baby shampoo solution”, nasal wash solutions, Betadine and mouthwashes. They concluded that these substances, which can be easily acquired on commercial surfaces, were capable of disabling this type of virus in the laboratory, which could suggest that these products may have the potential to reduce the spread of viruses by positive people. disease. covid-19, adds the press release.

For example, Johnson’s baby shampoo (which had already been tested and found safe for chronic sinusitis) inactivated 99.9% of the human coronavirus with a two-minute exposure. Flushing products such as Listerine were “highly effective in inactivating more than 99.9% of infectious viruses, even for a contact time of 30 seconds,” the study read.

“Pending a vaccine, methods are needed to reduce transmission,” said Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology and one of the study’s lead authors. “The products we have tested are available and are often already part of people’s daily routine.”

“People who test positive for covid-19 and come home to quarantine can transmit the virus to the people they live with,” adds Meyers. “Some professions, including dentists and other health professionals, are at constant risk of exposure. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether these products can reduce the amount of viruses that covid-positive or high-risk professions can spread while talking, coughing or sneezing. Even if the use of these solutions reduced transmission by 50%, they would already have a big impact. “

.

[ad_2]
Source link