Efficacy of Mouthwashes in Reducing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Viral Load in the Saliva

This is a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized pilot study designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 3 different mouthwashes containing 0.2% Chlorhexidine digluconate, 1.5% Hydroxide peroxide or Cetylpyridinium chloride in reducing Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load in the saliva of COVID-19 positive patients at different time-points. A convenient sample of up to 40 COVID-19 positive patients diagnosed via test and/or presenting COVID-19 clinical symptoms will be identified in the inpatients and/or outpatient clinics at the Newham University Hospital and at The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, United Kingdom (UK). The study will consist of one visit. Unstimulated saliva samples will be collected from all COVID-19 positive patients before and at 30 minutes, 1, 2, and 3 hours after mouth rinsing (Group 1-3 ) or no rinsing (Group 4). Viral load analysis of saliva samples in the different time-points will be then assessed by Reverse Transcription quantitative PCR (RT- qPCR).