Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles for the Prevention of COVID-19
Condition: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
MeSH terms: COVID-19
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      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.
    

Detailed description: 
      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.
    

Intervention name(s): Mouthwash and nose rinse with the AgNPs solution; Mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional way
Intervention type(s): Device; Device
Intervention description(s): 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; The control group was instructed to do mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional way
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Eligible participants for the in vivo study were randomized using a computer generated block scheme and stratified according to duty position, work shifts and the area/department of the service at General Tijuana Hospital. Individuals from experimental group were provided with a 50 mL spray bottle containing AgNPs solution with 1 wt% concentration (0.6 mg/mL metallic silver). Participants were instructed to mix 4 to 6 spray shots (corresponding to volume ~ 0.5 mL) of this solution with 20 mL of water and to gargle with obtained solution for 15 to 30 seconds at least 3 times a day, also nasal lavages on the inner part of the nasal alae and nasal passage with the same solution using a cotton swap twice a day. As a second option, participants were instructed to cover evenly the oral cavity with the direct 1 to 2 spray shots of solution without its previous dilution in water.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Infection control