Aluminium Gauze Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Non-Woven Masks Worn by Patients with COVID-19

Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS-CoV-2-specific data

Given the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as witnessed early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, concerns arose with the existing methods for virus disinfection and decontamination. The need for SARS-CoV-2-specific data stimulated considerable research in this regard. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 is practically and equally susceptible to approaches for disinfection and decontamination that have been previously found for other human or animal coronaviruses. The latter have included techniques utilizing temperature modulation, pH extremes, irradiation, and chemical treatments. These physicochemical methods are a necessary adjunct to other prevention strategies, given the environmental and patient surface ubiquity of the virus. Classic studies of disinfection have also allowed for extrapolation to the eradication of the virus on human mucosal surfaces by some chemical means. Despite considerable laboratory study, practical field assessments are generally lacking and need to be encouraged to confirm the correlation of interventions with viral eradication and infection prevention. Transparency in the constitution and use of any method or chemical is also essential to furthering practical applications.

Antiviral nanopharmaceuticals: Engineered surface interactions and virus-selective activity

The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired large research investments from the global scientific community in the study of viral properties and antiviral technologies (e.g., self-cleaning surfaces, virucides, antiviral drugs, and vaccines). Emerging viruses are a constant threat due to the substantial variation in viral structures, limiting the potential for expanded broad-spectrum antiviral agent development, and the complexity of targeting multiple and diverse viral species with unique characteristics involving their virulence. Multiple, more infectious variants of SARS-CoV2 (e.g., Delta, Omicron) have already appeared, necessitating research into versatile, robust control strategies in response to the looming threat of future viruses. Nanotechnology and nanomaterials have played a vital role in addressing current viral threats, from mRNA-based vaccines to nanoparticle-based drugs and nanotechnology enhanced disinfection methods. Rapid progress in the field has prompted a review of the current literature primarily focused on nanotechnology-based virucides and antivirals. In this review, a brief description of antiviral drugs is provided first as background with most of the discussion focused on key design considerations for high-efficacy antiviral nanomaterials (e.g., nanopharmaceuticals) as determined from published studies as well as related modes of biological activity. Insights into potential future research directions are also provided with a section devoted specifically to the SARS-CoV2 virus. This article is categorized under: Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomediciney > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease.