Efficacy of personal protective equipment and H2 O2 -based spray against coronavirus in dental setting

Dental Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2

Limiting infection transmission is central to the safety of all in dentistry, particularly during the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) are crucial to the practice of dentistry; it is imperative to understand the inherent risks of viral dispersion associated with AGPs and the efficacy of available mitigation strategies. In a dental surgery setting, crown preparation and root canal access procedures were performed with an air turbine or high-speed contra-angle handpiece (HSCAH), with mitigation via rubber dam or high-volume aspiration and a no-mitigation control. A phantom head was used with a 1.5-mL min-1 flow of artificial saliva infected with Φ6-bacteriophage (a surrogate virus for SARS-CoV-2) at ~108 plaque-forming units mL-1, reflecting the upper limits of reported salivary SARS-CoV-2 levels. Bioaerosol dispersal was measured using agar settle plates lawned with the Φ6-bacteriophage host, Pseudomonas syringae. Viral air concentrations were assessed using MicroBio MB2 air sampling and particle quantities using Kanomax 3889 GEOα counters. Compared to an air turbine, the HSCAH reduced settled bioaerosols by 99.72%, 100.00%, and 100.00% for no mitigation, aspiration, and rubber dam, respectively. Bacteriophage concentrations in the air were reduced by 99.98%, 100.00%, and 100.00% with the same mitigations. Use of the HSCAH with high-volume aspiration resulted in no detectable bacteriophage, both on nonsplatter settle plates and in air samples taken 6 to 10 min postprocedure. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the aerosolization in a dental clinic of active virus as a marker for risk determination. While this model represents a worst-case scenario for possible SARS-CoV-2 dispersal, these data showed that the use of HSCAHs can vastly reduce the risk of viral aerosolization and therefore remove the need for clinic fallow time. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the use of particle analysis alone cannot provide sufficient insight to understand bioaerosol infection risk.

Oral Manifestations of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review

Background: COVID-19 disease first appeared in 2019 and quickly spread worldwide, causing a global pandemic. The oral cavity represents a target of SARS-CoV-2, and oral lesions are observed in both non-hospitalized and hospitalized patients. This systematic review aims to investigate the frequency of oral manifestations in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, including articles published up to September 2021. The review protocol was based on PRISMA-P. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the Joana Briggs Institute. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE instrument. Results: Fifty-nine articles were included: 19 case reports, 17 case series, 2 case-control studies, 13 cross-sectional studies, 4 observational studies, and 4 retrospective studies. Oral ulcers, cheilitis, and tongue lesions were more common in patients before hospitalization, while perioral pressure ulcers, macroglossia, blisters, and oral candidiasis were more recurrent in patients during hospitalization. The first could be related directly to COVID-19, while the latter could be caused by medical devices, treatments, prone position, and immunological impairment. Conclusions: An accurate oral examination during the hospital admission of all confirmed COVID-19 cases is encouraged to recognize oral early manifestations and to apply appropriate treatments.

Transparent Polymeric Formulations Effective against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The main route of the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is through airborne small aerosol particles containing viable virus as well as through droplets transmitted between people within close proximity. Transmission via contaminated surfaces has also been recognized as an important route for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Among a variety of antimicrobial agents currently in use, polymers represent a class of biocides that have become increasingly important as an alternative to existing biocidal approaches. Two transparent polymeric compounds, containing silver and benzalkonium ions electrostatically bound to a polystyrene sulfonate backbone, were synthesized, through simple procedures, and evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans (ISO EN 1276) and for their antiviral activity toward 229E and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses (ISO UNI EN 14476:2019). The results showed that the two tested formulations are able to inhibit the growth of (1.5-5.5) × 1011 CFU of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and of the fungal species Candida albicans. Both compounds were able to control the 229E and SARS-CoV-2 infection of a target cell in a time contact of 5 min, with a virucidal effect from 24 to 72 h postinfection, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines, where a product is considered virucidal upon achieving a reduction of 4 logarithms. This study observed a decrease of more than 5 logarithms, which implies that these formulations are likely ideal candidates for the realization of transparent surface coatings that are capable of maintaining remarkable antibacterial activity and SARS-CoV-2 antiviral properties over time.

Excessive use of disinfectants against COVID-19 posing a potential threat to living beings

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan city of China in late December 2019.

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The rapid spread of the COVID-19 across the communities shock the entire population, because of no existing therapies.

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Health professionals recommended frequent washing of hands with soap and alcohol-based sanitizers, but these disinfectants has worst effects on human health.

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Precautionary measures should be ensured to protect ourselves and the community from the possible risk associated with disinfectants.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan city of China in late December 2019 and identified as a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. The rapid spread of the pathogen across the communities shock the entire population. As no existing therapy were available during the pandemic. Health professionals recommended frequent washing of hands with soap and alcohol-based sanitizers. Disinfectants were extensively sprayed to minimize the possibility of getting COVID-19. Despite the potential benefits of these germicidal agents against COVID-19. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers lead to dry skin, infection, and alcohol poisoning. Children are considered more prone to alcohol poisoning and other major health concern. Precautionary measures should be ensured to protect the community from the possible risk associated with disinfectants.