Dear Editor,
The infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the host cells occurs by interaction of cleaved viral protein spike with the receptors of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). The presence of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the salivary glands make them a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, leading to cell endocytosis and the viral replication cycle. This knowledge is relevant to better understand and develop strategies to mitigate contamination by droplets.(11. Matuck BF, Dolhnikoff M, Duarte-Neto AN, Maia G, Gomes SC, Sendyk DI, et al. Salivary glands are a target for SARS-CoV-2: a source for saliva contamination. J Pathol. 2021;254(3):239-43.)
Since the oral cavity is closely related to the progression of the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19), and the oral health status is associated to severity of the condition,(22. Kamel A, Basuoni A, Salem Z, AbuBakr N. The impact of oral health status on COVID-19 severity, recovery period and C-reactive protein values. Br Dent J. 2021:1-7.) adopting preventive measures, such as maintenance of oral health by chemical-mechanical control of oral microbiota, becomes a relevant issue.(33. Mateos-Moreno MV, Mira A, Ausina-Márquez V, Ferrer MD. Oral antiseptics against coronavirus: in vitro and clinical evidence. J Hosp Infect. 2021;113: 30-43. Review.
4. Carrouel F, Valette M, Gadea E, Esparcieux A, Illes G, Langlois ME, et al. Use of an antiviral mouthwash as an additional barrier measure in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in adults with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021;27(10):1494-501.
5. da Fonseca Orcina B, Vilhena FV, Cardoso de Oliveira R, Marques da Costa Alves L, Araki K, Toma SH, et al. A phthalocyanine derivate mouthwash to gargling/rinsing as an option to reduce Clinical Symptoms of COVID-19: case series. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2021:13;47-50.-66. da Silva Santos PS, da Fonseca Orcina B, Machado RR, Vilhena FV, da Costa Alves LM, Zangrando MS, et al. Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19: randomised trial. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19937.)
The medical literature has shown the use of broad-spectrum antiseptic mouthwashes demonstrated laboratory results and clinical efficacy in reducing the viral load and symptoms of COVID-19(33. Mateos-Moreno MV, Mira A, Ausina-Márquez V, Ferrer MD. Oral antiseptics against coronavirus: in vitro and clinical evidence. J Hosp Infect. 2021;113: 30-43. Review.
4. Carrouel F, Valette M, Gadea E, Esparcieux A, Illes G, Langlois ME, et al. Use of an antiviral mouthwash as an additional barrier measure in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in adults with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021;27(10):1494-501.
5. da Fonseca Orcina B, Vilhena FV, Cardoso de Oliveira R, Marques da Costa Alves L, Araki K, Toma SH, et al. A phthalocyanine derivate mouthwash to gargling/rinsing as an option to reduce Clinical Symptoms of COVID-19: case series. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2021:13;47-50.-66. da Silva Santos PS, da Fonseca Orcina B, Machado RR, Vilhena FV, da Costa Alves LM, Zangrando MS, et al. Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19: randomised trial. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19937.) (Table 1). The evidence is as recent as the pandemic.
List of antiseptic mouthwashes used and their respective benefits in treating COVID-19 patients
Therefore, it seems maintenance of oral health, with the correct strategies, does not lead to contraindications or evidence of non-effectiveness in prevention of COVID-19.
REFERENCES
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1Matuck BF, Dolhnikoff M, Duarte-Neto AN, Maia G, Gomes SC, Sendyk DI, et al. Salivary glands are a target for SARS-CoV-2: a source for saliva contamination. J Pathol. 2021;254(3):239-43.
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2Kamel A, Basuoni A, Salem Z, AbuBakr N. The impact of oral health status on COVID-19 severity, recovery period and C-reactive protein values. Br Dent J. 2021:1-7.
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3Mateos-Moreno MV, Mira A, Ausina-Márquez V, Ferrer MD. Oral antiseptics against coronavirus: in vitro and clinical evidence. J Hosp Infect. 2021;113: 30-43. Review.
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4Carrouel F, Valette M, Gadea E, Esparcieux A, Illes G, Langlois ME, et al. Use of an antiviral mouthwash as an additional barrier measure in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in adults with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021;27(10):1494-501.
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5da Fonseca Orcina B, Vilhena FV, Cardoso de Oliveira R, Marques da Costa Alves L, Araki K, Toma SH, et al. A phthalocyanine derivate mouthwash to gargling/rinsing as an option to reduce Clinical Symptoms of COVID-19: case series. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2021:13;47-50.
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6da Silva Santos PS, da Fonseca Orcina B, Machado RR, Vilhena FV, da Costa Alves LM, Zangrando MS, et al. Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19: randomised trial. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19937.
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
17 Dec 2021 -
Date of issue
2021
History
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Received
26 Apr 2021 -
Accepted
6 May 2021