Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles for the Prevention of COVID-19

Cluster de Bioeconomia de Baja California, A.C231 enrolled

Overview

In this research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were tested in vitro and shown to have an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cultured cells. Subsequently, the investigators assessed the effects of mouthwash and nose rinse with ARGOVIT® silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 contagion in health workers consider as high-risk group of acquiring the infection in the General Tijuana Hospital, Mexico, a hospital for the exclusive recruitment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital areas is of a particular concern, since the close interaction between health care personnel and patients diagnosed with COVID-19, which allows virus to be easily spread between them and subsequently to their families and communities. Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare personnel is essential to reduce the frequency of infections and outbreaks during the pandemic. In a first step, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were tested in vitro to determine an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cultured cells. Subsequently, the investigators assess the effects of mouthwash and nose rinse with ARGOVIT® silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 contagion in health workers consider as high-risk group of acquiring the infection in the General Tijuana Hospital, Mexico, a hospital for the exclusive recruitment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The investigators present a prospective randomized study of 231 participants that was carried out for 9 weeks (during the declaration of a pandemic). The "experimental" group was instructed to do mouthwash and nose rinse with the AgNPs solution; the "control" group was instructed to do mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional way.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

231

Conditions

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Interventions

Mouthwash and nose rinse with the AgNPs solutionDEVICE

The "experimental" group was instructed to do mouthwash and nose rinse with the AgNPs solution for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers

Mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional wayDEVICE

The control group was instructed to do mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional way

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 73 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women health workers in the General Tijuana Hospital, Mexico who works in high-risk areas with direct contact with patients infected and diagnosed with COVID-19. Exclusion Criteria: * persons with history of hypersensitivity to silver (rashes and other contraindications), * a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the three months prior to the start of the study, any respiratory distress, * and refusal to sign the informed consent.

Locations (1)

Tijuana General Hospital

Tijuana, Estado de Baja California, Mexico

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the experimental group.

Percentage of participants infected of SARS-CoV-2 in the experimental group.

Time frame: 9 weeks

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the control group.

Percentage of participants infected of SARS-CoV-2 in the control group.

Time frame: 9 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Number of participants with adverse reactions by AgNPs.

Number of participants with adverse reactions by performing mouthwash and nose rinse with AgNPs.

Time frame: 9 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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