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Oral Dis
. 2021 Dec 28.
doi: 10.1111/odi.14118. Online ahead of print.
Reducing the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of patients with COVID-19
Taísa Coelho Guimarães 1 , Barbara Bruno Fagundes Marques 1 , Marcelle Viana de Castro 2 , Daniele Angst Secco 2 , Luís Cristóvão Moraes Sobrino Porto 2 3 , Justine Monteiro Monnerat Tinoco 4 , Eduardo Muniz Barretto Tinoco 1 , Paul Fletcher 5 , Ricardo Guimarães Fischer 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 34963033
- DOI: 10.1111/odi.14118
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the reduction of the salivary viral load using oral antiseptic mouthwashes in patients testing positive for COVID-19.
Methods: 63 individuals were recruited after testing positive for COVID-19 by real-time RT-PCR assay and divided into 5 groups. Group 1 received sterile water, group 2 received 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution (HP), group 3 received 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), group 4 received 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaClO), and group 5 received sequential rinses using CHX and HP. After collecting the initial saliva sample, individuals were asked to use the designated mouthwash for 1 minute. Additional saliva samples were collected immediately after rinsing, 15 and 30 minutes after rinsing. Real-time RT-PCR assays for RNA detection of SARS-CoV-2 were performed on the saliva samples.
Results: There were no significant differences among the experimental groups and the control group in any period. Compared to the baseline values, there was a significant reduction in the number of copies of SARS-Cov-2 after 30 minutes in Group 2, and immediately after the initial mouthwash in Group 4.
Conclusion: No experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction of the viral load compared to the control group.
Keywords: Covid-19; coronavirus; dental health survey; oral hygiene; saliva.