In vitro Virucidal Effectiveness of a 0.12%-Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthrinse

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to assess the in vitro antiviral effectiveness of a mouthrinse (Peridex) containing 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CH) on several viruses that are associated with the oral cavity. These included herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza A, parainfluenza, polio, and hepatitis B (HBV). Virucidal assays in tissue cultures were performed on all viruses except HBV. The virucidal effect on HBV was assessed by inactivation of the DNA polymerase contained within the Dane particle of HBV. The CH mouthrinse had virucidal activity against all of the viruses, except polio, in as little as 30 s. The virucidal activity increased with time. However, there were differences in the responses of these viruses to the challenge of the CH mouthrinse, probably due to subtle differences in the physical/chemical structures of the virus envelopes. Results on DNA polymerase of the HBV virus were similar to those on the other viruses, except polio, suggesting a common mechanism. With respect to this mechanism, it was proposed that CH exerted its antiviral effect on the envelopes of these viruses, and that the absence of an envelope on polio precluded effectiveness against this virus.

In vitro effect of oral antiseptics on human immunodeficiency virus‐1 and herpes simplex virus type 1

“…Dennison et al (1995) found chlorhexidine to completely inhibit HSV and influenza A virus after an exposure time of 30 s, whereas, rota virus, a non‐enveloped virus was only minimally (12.2%) inhibited (Dennison et al 1995). Several other investigators also reported anti‐HSV effects of LA and CHX and also found comparative ineffectiveness of LA and CHX in a non‐enveloped virus (Bernstein et al 1989, Croughan & Behbehani 1988, Park & Park 1989). Our current work confirms the antiviral effectiveness of LA and CHX against HSV‐1 McIntyre strain and extends the effectiveness to another enveloped virus, the HIV‐1.…”

A new Sephadex™-based method for removing microbicidal and cytotoxic residues when testing antiseptics against viruses: Experiments with a human coronavirus as a model

“…However, according to the American Standard, of which the virucidal efficacy criterion is a 3 log 10 reduction, CHX had an ATS-D antiviral activity at 10 −3 mol L −1 and 60 min, but this activity is not really representative of field use conditions. In most studies, CHX has been shown: (i) to be inefficient against naked viruses (Bernstein et al, 1990;Kawana et al, 1997;Narang and Codd, 1983;Wood and Payne, 1998) and (ii) to be efficient at concentrations >10 −3 mol L −1 on enveloped viruses but its activity depends on viruses tested and testing conditions (Bernstein et al, 1990;Kawana et al, 1997;Platt and Bucknall, 1985;Tyler and Ayliffe, 1987;Wood and Payne, 1998). For instance, CHX reduced Herpes simplex virus viral titers of >3 log 10 in suspension tests for under 3 min (Kawana et al, 1997;Wood and Payne, 1998) and only of 1 log 10 on a dried sample of HSV in 10 min (Tyler and Ayliffe, 1987).…”

A Guide to Facial Trauma Triage and Precautions in the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Lastly, there has been evidence of virucidal properties of chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone-iodine mouthwash against respiratory and oral tract pathogens. [26][27][28][29] Although there is no current evidence for their effects on the COVID-19 patient population, preoperative swish and spit with these agents may be considered to potentially decrease viral load in the oral cavity/oropharynx.…”