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Published on: September 20, 2021
Virucidal effect of mouthwash on acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus
M Bar Ilan1,2, S Dovrat3, R Cohen3
1Oral Medicine Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Objectives:
The symptoms of herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) infections might be severe and persistent in immunocompromised patients in whom they reactivate at a high frequency. The development of Acyclovir (ACV) resistant strains due to long-term treatment with antiviral agents in those patients is not uncommon. The aim of the present study was to assess the virucidal effect of commercially available mouthwashes against ACV-resistant HSV-1 strains.
Materials And Methods:
Two acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains were exposed for 30 s to essential oil-based (Listerine Fresh Burst® and Listerine Zero®), chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% (Hexidyl®) and povidone-iodine 7.5% (Betadine Gargle®) mouthwashes. Loss of virus infectivity was determined by means of plaque reduction assays in a cell culture system.
Results:
All 4 of the tested solutions significantly reduced virus infectivity, with the essential oil-based and povidone-iodine mouthwashes being slightly more efficacious, compared to chlorhexidine.
Conclusion:
The findings of this analysis revealed that the tested oral rinses demonstrated in-vitro antiviral activity against ACV-resistant HSV. Comparative clinical trials are required to establish the clinical effectiveness of daily use of oral rinses in reducing the appearance of oral HSV lesions in immunocompromised patients.
Insights
Commercially available mouthwashes show antiviral activity against acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. Essential oil and povidone-iodine mouthwashes were most effective, suggesting potential for managing HSV-1 infections in immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oral Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections can be severe in immunocompromised individuals.
- Acyclovir (ACV)-resistant HSV-1 strains frequently emerge due to long-term antiviral therapy.
- Managing these resistant strains presents a clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the virucidal efficacy of common mouthwashes against acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains.
- To compare the effectiveness of different mouthwash formulations.
Main Methods:
- Two acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains were tested.
- Exposure to essential oil-based, chlorhexidine gluconate, and povidone-iodine mouthwashes for 30 seconds.
- Virus infectivity assessed using plaque reduction assays.
Main Results:
- All tested mouthwashes significantly reduced HSV-1 infectivity in vitro.
- Essential oil-based and povidone-iodine mouthwashes demonstrated slightly greater efficacy than chlorhexidine.
- The tested oral rinses exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against ACV-resistant HSV.
Conclusions:
- Commercially available mouthwashes possess in vitro antiviral properties against acyclovir-resistant HSV.
- Further clinical trials are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of these rinses in reducing oral HSV lesions in immunocompromised patients.
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