Potential Mucosal Irritation Discrimination of Surface Disinfectants Employed against SARS-CoV-2 by Limacus flavus Slug Mucosal Irritation Assay

Abstract

Preventive measures have proven to be the most effective strategy to counteract the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Among these, disinfection is strongly suggested by international health organizations’ official guidelines. As a consequence, the increase of disinfectants handling is going to expose people to the risk of eyes, mouth, nose, and mucous membranes accidental irritation. To assess mucosal irritation, previous studies employed the snail Arion lusitanicus as the mucosal model in Slug Mucosal Irritation (SMI) assay. The obtained results confirmed snails as a suitable experimental model for their anatomical characteristics superimposable to the human mucosae and the different easily observed readouts. Another terrestrial gastropod, Limacus flavus, also known as “ Yellow slug “, due to its larger size and greater longevity, has already been proposed as an SMI assay alternative model. In this study, for the first time, in addition to the standard parameters recorded in the SMI test, the production of yellow pigment in response to irritants, unique to the snail L. flavus, was evaluated. Our results showed that this species would be a promising model for mucosal irritation studies. The study conducted testing among all those chemical solutions most commonly recommended against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

An overview of current alternative models in the context of ocular surface toxicity

“…This method can screen for ocular discomfort generated by isolated ingredients or final products. As presented in the schematic protocol Figure 3, the slug's weight is compared before and after every contact period (CP) (Cutuli et al, 2021; Lenoir, Adriaens, & Remon, 2011; Lenoir et al, 2009, 2013).…”

“…Similarly, Petit et al, 2017 was able to reproduce this alternative model in 2017 to evaluate veterinary products. Recently, a new SMI alternative model, using a “Yellow slug,” was reported to evaluate surface disinfectants used against SARS‐CoV‐2 (Cutuli et al, 2021).…”

Aluminum exposure alters the pedal mucous secretions of the chocolate‐band snail, Eobania vermiculata (Gastropoda: Helicidae)

“…Subepidermal mucous glands are also affected, since their number decreases and appear narrower and empty because of increased secretion. Thus, pedal mucus secretion and composition have been recently proposed as interesting biomarkers (Cutuli et al, 2021; El‐Gendy et al, 2021).…”