Results from cell culture experiments show that commercially available preparations have an effect on Sars-Cov-2 viruses.
Sars-Cov-2 viruses can be inactivated using certain commercially available mouthwashes. This was demonstrated in cell culture experiments by virologists from Ruhr-Universität Bochum together with colleagues from Jena, Ulm, Duisburg-Essen, Nuremberg, and Bremen. High viral loads can be detected in the oral cavity and throat of some COVID-19 patients.
The use of mouthwashes that are effective against Sars-Cov-2 could thus help to reduce the viral load and possibly the risk of coronavirus transmission over the short term. This could be useful, for example, prior to dental treatments. However, mouth rinses are not suitable for treating COVID-19 infections or protecting yourself against catching the virus.
The results of the study are described by the team headed by Toni Meister, Professor Stephanie Pfänder and Professor Eike Steinmann from the Bochum-based Molecular and Medical Virology research group in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, published online on July 29, 2020. A review of laboratory results in clinical trials is pending.
Eight mouthwashes in a cell culture test
The researchers tested eight mouthwashes with different ingredients that are available in pharmacies or drugstores in Germany. They mixed each mouthwash with virus particles and an interfering substance, which was intended to recreate the effect of saliva in the mouth. The mixture was then shaken for 30 seconds to simulate the effect of gargling. They then used Vero E6 cells, which are particularly receptive to Sars-Cov-2, to determine the virus titer. In order to assess the efficacy of the mouthwashes, the researchers also treated the virus suspensions with cell culture medium instead of the mouthwash before adding them to the cell culture.
All of the tested preparations reduced the initial virus titer. Three mouthwashes reduced it to such an extent that no virus could be detected after an exposure time of 30 seconds. Whether this effect is confirmed in clinical practice and how long it lasts must be investigated in further studies.
The authors point out that mouthwashes are not suitable for treating COVID-19. “Gargling with a mouthwash cannot inhibit the production of viruses in the cells,” explains Toni Meister, “but could reduce the viral load in the short term where the greatest potential for infection comes from, namely in the oral cavity and throat – and this could be useful in certain situations, such as at the dentist or during the medical care of COVID-19 patients.”
Clinical studies in progress
The Bochum group is examining the possibilities of a clinical study on the efficacy of mouthwashes on Sars-Cov-2 viruses, during which the scientists want to test whether the effect can also be detected in patients and how long it lasts. Similar studies are already underway in San Francisco; the Bochum team is in contact with the American researchers.
Reference: “Virucidal efficacy of different oral rinses against SARS-CoV-2” by Toni Luise Meister, Yannick Brüggemann, Daniel Todt, Carina Conzelmann, Janis A Müller, Rüdiger Groß, Jan Münch, Adalbert Krawczyk, Jörg Steinmann, Jochen Steinmann, Stephanie Pfaender and Eike Steinmann, 29 July 2020, The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa471
The work was funded by the European Union as part of the Horizon 2020 program (grant number 101003555) and by Stiftung Universitätsmedizin Essen.
Never miss a breakthrough: Join the SciTechDaily newsletter.
Follow us on Google and Google News.
9 Comments
Makes sense. My dentist added a mouthwash rinse prior to cleanings at least two months ago.
I use neosporin in my nose also. Nurses told me they use it during flu season. I’ve used it for many years during flu season. No flu shot & no flu. So I decided to continue using it during covid. So far no covid!!!
@DonnA, do you also inject hand sanitizer?
It says transmission. Transmission. So many people, like Don A., will misread this. The cytokine storm from covid won’t kill you. The resulting pneumonia will. Oral bacteria can aggravate this condition. It’s what kills most people everywhere, with or without covid. Keep your mouth clean for this reason.
Why are the mouthwashes not listed by name?
They’re probably German products, unavailable in domestic markets.
They should have compared it to brushing your teeth. I guarantee you that brushing your teeth does just as good a job.
I put Sovereign Silver on my toothbrush before brushing my teeth. It keeps my mouth/teeth clean. It keeps the plaque from building up on my teeth. I also gargle with it plus swab inside my nose with it.
If you’re using a specific
Mouth wash what’s the
Brand name you’re using!!???!