The effect of CPC mouthwashes on COVID-19
A research study conducted in Aragon, Spain on the effect of CPC mouthwashes on the infectious capacity of patients with COVID-19, SEPA 2021 award
- Research personnel from the Aragonese Health Service and the Aragon Health Research Institute have demonstrated the efficacy of mouthwashes containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) in reducing the infectious viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of COVID-19- positive patients for up to two hours after use
- The study receives the SEPA 2021 award for the Best communication in poster format presented by hygienists at the congress of the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration
December 2nd, Zaragoza- A research group formed by a multidisciplinary team of hygienists, nurses, pharmacists, microbiologists and primary care physicians from the Aragonese Health Service, launched a clinical trial in Primary Care (Centro de Salud Seminario of Zaragoza), with the aim of determining the efficacy of a mouthwash containing 0.07% Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) in reducing the infectious viral load in COVID-19-positive patients.
The study consisted of collecting saliva samples from COVID-19-positive patients at the time of diagnosis and 2 hours after rinsing with CPC or placebo (water). The results show a statistically significant reduction in the infectivity of the saliva of patients who rinsed with CPC.
The oral cavity represents a potential source of SARS-CoV2 infection and is a door for both the entry and the exit of the virus. Therefore, the use of CPC mouthwashes could be useful to reduce the infectious viral load, which could have an impact on the reduction of the pathogenicity and transmission of COVID-19. “Mouthwashes with CPC are a prevention tool available to everyone and could help control the transmission of COVID-19, even hours after use and, due to its mechanism of action, against different variants of the virus, as indicated by studies already published”, indicates Rosa Tarragó Gil, an oral hygienist and principal investigator of the study.
This study, entitled “Randomised clinical trial to assess the impact of oral intervention with Cetylpyridinium Chloride to reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load”, was presented at the Meeting of the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration (SEPA). These findings received the SEPA 2021 award for Best Communication in poster format presented by hygienists at the latest edition of the Congress of the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration (SEPA), held in Seville from 25-27 November 2021.