Open AccessCPC-containing oral rinses inactivate SARS-CoV-2 variants and are active in the presence of human saliva
Author(s) -
Enyia R Anderson,
Edward I Patterson,
Siobhan Richards,
Ana K. Pitol,
Thomas Edwards,
Dominic Wooding,
Kate Buist,
Alison Green,
Sayandip Mukherjee,
Michael Hoptroff,
Grant L Hughes
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of medical microbiology/journal of medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1473-5644
pISSN - 0022-2615
DOI - 10.1099/jmm.0.001508
Subject(s) - saliva , covid-19 , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , biology , medicine , biochemistry , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease
. The importance of human saliva in aerosol-based transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is now widely recognized. However, little is known about the efficacy of virucidal mouthwash formulations against emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and in the presence of saliva. Hypothesis. Mouthwashes containing virucidal actives will have similar inactivation effects against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and will retain efficacy in the presence of human saliva. Aim. To examine in vitro efficacy of mouthwash formulations to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 variants. Methodology. Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 variants by mouthwash formulations in the presence or absence of human saliva was assayed using ASTM International Standard E1052-20 methodology. Results. Appropriately formulated mouthwashes containing 0.07 % cetylpyridinium chloride but not 0.2 % chlorhexidine completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (USA-WA1/2020, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta) up to the limit of detection in suspension assays. Tests using USA-WA1/2020 indicates that efficacy is maintained in the presence of human saliva. Conclusions. Together these data suggest cetylpyridinium chloride-based mouthwashes are effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 variants. This indicates potential to reduce viral load in the oral cavity and mitigate transmission via salivary aerosols.