Investigating the Efficacy of CPC–CHX Mouthwash Against SARS-CoV-2

GERMANY: A recent clinical trial conducted by researchers from University Hospital Düsseldorf, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf in Germany explores the effectiveness of a cetylpyridinium chloride–chlorhexidine (CPC–CHX) mouthwash in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva. 

The study, titled “Eligibility and efficacy of a CPC- and CHX-based antiviral mouthwash for the elimination of SARS-CoV-2 from the saliva: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial,” presents important insights into potential antiviral interventions.

Methodology: CPC–CHX vs. Sterile Water

Forty SARS-CoV-2 positive patients participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups, with one half rinsing with a 0.05% CPC–CHX mouthwash, and the other half using sterile water as a control. Saliva samples were collected at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after rinsing, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to assess viral load.

Oral rinse of the future

Findings: No Significant Reduction in Viral Load

The study results indicated that SARS-CoV-2 copy numbers per mL tended to decrease in the control group, while an increase was observed after 30 minutes in the CPC–CHX group. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups, different time points, or the vaccination status of patients. The study concluded that, within its limitations, the intervention did not reduce salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the course of 60 minutes.

Clinical Relevance: Implications for Dental Practices

The research aimed to provide scientific rationale for assessing the potential antiviral effects of CPC–CHX mouthwash, commonly used in pre-procedural rinsing. The principal findings suggest that, based on the study’s limitations, pre-procedural rinsing with this mouthwash may not have significant clinical relevance in reducing SARS-CoV-2 levels during typical dental treatments.

This study adds to the ongoing efforts to understand the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in oral fluids and contributes valuable information for dental practitioners considering antiviral interventions in their protocols.

Read the full article: Eligibility and efficacy of a CPC- and CHX-based antiviral mouthwash for the elimination of SARS-CoV-2 from the saliva: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial