Abstract
The ability of widely-available mouthwashes to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in vitro was tested using a protocol capable of detecting a 5-log10 reduction in infectivity, under conditions mimicking the naso/oropharynx. During a 30 second exposure, two rinses containing cetylpyridinium chloride and a third with ethanol/ethyl lauroyl arginate eliminated live virus to EN14476 standards (>4-log10 reduction), while others with ethanol/essential oils and povidone-iodine (PVP-I) eliminated virus by 2-3-log10. Chlorhexidine or ethanol alone had little or no ability to inactivate virus in this assay. Studies are warranted to determine whether these formulations can inactivate virus in the human oropharynx in vivo, and whether this might impact transmission.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Disclosure: Venture Life Group plc provided information on mouthwash formulations employed in the study, but had no role in funding, planning, execution, analysis or writing of this study. A separate study funded to Cardiff University by Venture Life Group is assessing in vivo efficacy of CPC in patients with COVID19. The investigators declare no direct conflicts exist.
