tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Clin Oral Investig
. 2022 May 10.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04530-w. Online ahead of print.
The role of toothbrush in the transmission of corona- and influenza viruses - results of an in vitro study
Gerhard Schmalz[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Feindt[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Franziska Tanneberger[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rainer Haak[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ahmed Abd El Wahed[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Uwe Truyen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Dirk Ziebolz[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate viruses' stabilities on manual toothbrushes using feline coronavirus (FeCoV) as representative of coronaviruses and an Avian influenza A virus H1N1 for influenza viruses.
Material and methods: Two viruses, FeCoV (Strain Munich; titer 107.5 TCID50/ml) and H1N1 (RE 230/90; titer 106.5 TCID50/ml), were used in this study. Manual toothbrushes were disassembled into bristles, bristle fixation, and back of the toothbrush head, contaminated with the viruses and air-dried for 24 h. In a second experiment, whole toothbrush heads were contaminated, rinsed with water (5 ml for 15 s) and then air-dried.
Results: For FeCoV, immediately after contamination, the following average titers were recovered: fixation: 10[SUP]6.41[/SUP], back of head: 10[SUP]6.81[/SUP] and bristles: 10[SUP]6.63[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. Following air-drying of 12 (fixation) and 24 h, titers of ≤ 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP], 10[SUP]3.75[/SUP], and 10[SUP]2.72[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml were found in the respective groups, with a detection limit of 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. For H1N1, immediately after contamination, the following average titers could be recovered: fixation: 10[SUP]5.53[/SUP], back of head: 10[SUP]5.97[/SUP] and bristles: 10[SUP]5.75[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. Following air-drying of 8 (fixation) and 24 h, titers were ≤ 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP], 10[SUP]3.63[/SUP], and 10[SUP]3.53[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml in the respective group, again with 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml being the detection limit. In case of water rinse, no infectious virus could be recovered after 12 h.
Conclusion: Viral load of both viruses is reduced by air-drying, especially following water rinsing. Clinical relevance The toothbrush itself plays an insignificant role in the self-transmission of coronavirus and influenza virus.
Keywords: Coronavirus; Influenza; Oral hygiene; Toothbrush; Transmission.
. 2022 May 10.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04530-w. Online ahead of print.
The role of toothbrush in the transmission of corona- and influenza viruses - results of an in vitro study
Gerhard Schmalz[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Feindt[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Franziska Tanneberger[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rainer Haak[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ahmed Abd El Wahed[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Uwe Truyen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Dirk Ziebolz[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35538330
- DOI: 10.1007/s00784-022-04530-w
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate viruses' stabilities on manual toothbrushes using feline coronavirus (FeCoV) as representative of coronaviruses and an Avian influenza A virus H1N1 for influenza viruses.
Material and methods: Two viruses, FeCoV (Strain Munich; titer 107.5 TCID50/ml) and H1N1 (RE 230/90; titer 106.5 TCID50/ml), were used in this study. Manual toothbrushes were disassembled into bristles, bristle fixation, and back of the toothbrush head, contaminated with the viruses and air-dried for 24 h. In a second experiment, whole toothbrush heads were contaminated, rinsed with water (5 ml for 15 s) and then air-dried.
Results: For FeCoV, immediately after contamination, the following average titers were recovered: fixation: 10[SUP]6.41[/SUP], back of head: 10[SUP]6.81[/SUP] and bristles: 10[SUP]6.63[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. Following air-drying of 12 (fixation) and 24 h, titers of ≤ 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP], 10[SUP]3.75[/SUP], and 10[SUP]2.72[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml were found in the respective groups, with a detection limit of 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. For H1N1, immediately after contamination, the following average titers could be recovered: fixation: 10[SUP]5.53[/SUP], back of head: 10[SUP]5.97[/SUP] and bristles: 10[SUP]5.75[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml. Following air-drying of 8 (fixation) and 24 h, titers were ≤ 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP], 10[SUP]3.63[/SUP], and 10[SUP]3.53[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml in the respective group, again with 10[SUP]2.5[/SUP] TCID[SUB]50[/SUB]/ml being the detection limit. In case of water rinse, no infectious virus could be recovered after 12 h.
Conclusion: Viral load of both viruses is reduced by air-drying, especially following water rinsing. Clinical relevance The toothbrush itself plays an insignificant role in the self-transmission of coronavirus and influenza virus.
Keywords: Coronavirus; Influenza; Oral hygiene; Toothbrush; Transmission.