Antiviral efficacy of Chlorhexidine mouthwash versus Povidone Iodine mouthwash in SARS CoV 2 infected adults – A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: SARS CoV 2, the virus which causes covid19, is a global disease which has become a major concern. Ever since the outbreak, many significant research on its therapeutic and preventive methods have emerged. Oral cavity being the major source of viral load transmission, an antimicrobial mouthrinse will be effective in reduction of the viral load. It also aids in preventing cross-contamination. So it’s crucial to analyse the antiviral efficacy of 0.2 % Chlorhexidine mouthwash over 1% Povidone iodine mouthwash.
Objective: To assess the antiviral efficacy of Chlorhexidine mouthwash over Povidone iodine mouthwash in SARS CoV2 infected adult patients.
Data Sources: Systematic search analysis was done till june 2024 through PubMed and Google Scholar.
Study Selection: All published randomised controlled trials that involved the antiviral efficacy of chlorhexidine mouthwash and povidone iodine mouthwash in SARS CoV2 infected adult patients were included in meta analysis.
Data Extraction: A predetermined checklist was used as a guide for data extraction
Analytical Approach: RevMan 5 software has been used to measure the mean length of pre-treatment viral load and post-treatment viral load of both Chlorhexidine and Povidone iodine . The values were pooled from the selected studies. To compare the antiviral efficacy of Chlorhexidine mouthwash over Povidone iodine mouthwash in SARS CoV2 infected adult patients, fixed –effect model was used. Data analyses were performed in June 2024.
Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a comparison of pre-treatment viral load and post treatment viral load of the groups with use of chlorhexidine mouthwash and Povidone iodine.
Results: The initial search producd 687 articles of which 6 articles were selecctd for full-text screening , which recognized four articles with randomized controlled trials were included. The findings did not favour any particular antimicrobial mouthwash in providing antiviral efficacy. The usage of chlorhexidine mouthwash versus Povidone iodine mouthwash provides equal antiviral efficacy. (MD = 1.74, 95% CI -.1.35 – 4.84, p = 0.42). An insignificant Q statistic (p = 0.27) indicated the absence of heterogeneity (I2 =0%).
Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that Antiviral efficacy of chlorhexidine mouthwash and povidone iodine mouthwash are same in reduction of viral load in SARS CoV 2 infected adults.