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Decreased rhinovirus shedding after intranasal oxymetazoline application in adults with induced colds compared with

Birgit Winther1, Dagobert Buchert, Ronald B Turner

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, 22908-0713, USA. bw8b@virginia.edu

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy
|January 20, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Intranasal oxymetazoline (OMZ) reduced rhinovirus levels in volunteers. This common cold decongestant may help decrease viral load during experimental rhinovirus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Intranasal oxymetazoline (OMZ) is a common cold decongestant.
  • OMZ reduces intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in vitro.
  • ICAM-1 is a key receptor for rhinovirus entry into human cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of intranasal OMZ on rhinovirus geometric mean titer.
  • To assess OMZ's impact on viral load in nasal lavage fluid following rhinovirus inoculation.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted.
  • Volunteers received intranasal OMZ or physiological saline solution (PSS) three times daily for 5 days post-rhinovirus challenge.
  • Rhinovirus detection was performed using fibroblast cultures.

Main Results:

  • Geometric mean viral titer (log₁₀) on day 2 was significantly lower in the OMZ group (1.49) compared to the PSS group (2.24; p = 0.04).
  • Mean titers on day 3 were 1.45 for OMZ and 2.08 for PSS.
  • Median viral shedding duration and clinical illness duration were similar between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Topical OMZ administration effectively decreased viral titer on day 2 of experimental rhinovirus infection.
  • OMZ shows potential in managing viral load during rhinovirus infections.

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