CAVEAT : FORWARD THINKING STATEMENT : CAVEAT
2020 A.D.E. SINCE TIME BEGAN : salus populi suprema est lex - the right of the people is the supreme law : IN TRUTH WE TRUST 2020 A.D.E.
FOLLOW-UP PUBLICATION TO SQUALENE RESOURCES : SHARKS OR BIOMASS & SALT CRYSTALS IN FACE MASKS
In a recent study by the
Institute for Antiviral Research at Utah State University, it was demonstrated
that the COVID-19 virus can be completely inactivated with a 30-second exposure
to a 100 ppm molecular iodine (I2) mouthrinse.1 This in vitro study opens the door for
further research and the need to review past and current research about the
efficacy of I2 as an antimicrobial
therapeutic agent. I2 is the only species
of iodine that is antimicrobial.2
It has been well
documented that molecular iodine is one of the most effective of all
antimicrobials available. Hospitals and medical facilities worldwide use
povidone-iodine
(Betadine) as a standard
of care in infection control, even though it contains very small amounts of I2. Betadine (PVP-1) has
been in commercial use since 1955 and is on the World Health Organization’s
list of essential medicines.3
PVP-1 contains 31,600 ppm
of iodine compounds, but it is only I2 that is the biocidal species responsible for
its antimicrobial activity. I2 occurs in trace quantities of 2–3 ppm, but
even at these levels, it is considered the best at destroying bacteria,
viruses, and fungi. All the other aspects of PVP-1 only contribute to its
toxicity, staining, and unpleasant taste.4
For more than 50 years,
PVP-1 has been used as an essential medicine in hospitals and health-care
clinics as a scrub for surgeries as well as hand disinfection for surgical
personnel. It has been an integral antiseptic as a wound disinfectant.
PVP-1 has also been shown
to be highly effective in the treatment of periodontal disease. Jørgen Slots
wrote that it is a valuable antiseptic in its treatment of periodontal disease
and a variety of other oral infections. His research has shown that it kills
all periodontal pathogens in vitro within 15–20 seconds. Slots also says that
it exhibits a wide viricidal spectrum, covering both nonenveloped and enveloped
viruses, including the periodontopathogenic cytomegalovirus.5
Fortunately, there is a
new generation of recently patented iodine-based antiseptics that overcome the
negative side effects of PVP-1. A new aqueous formulation with 100 times more I2 than contained in PVP-1 is
now available, and the nonbiocidal content has been reduced from 31,600 ppm to
a few hundred ppm. This new formulation increases its effectiveness, safety,
and shelf life, while also reducing staining, toxicity, bad taste, and
potential irritancy. It is now available in mouthrinses, concentrates, nasal
sprays, and hand sanitizers offered by IoTech International.6 These new products
have the potential to become a frontline defense against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
David Derry, MD, PhD,
author of Iodine: The Forgotten Weapon Against Influenza Viruses,
says that after 30 million people were killed by the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic,
there was much research funded to discover which agents were effective against
influenza viruses. Washing hands with a standard 70% alcohol is effective
against most bacteria, but it was shown to have little effect against viruses.
Masks used in 1918 showed barely detectable benefits in holding back the
influenza viruses. More than 25 years of research has proven that iodine was
the most effective agent. Aerosol iodine was found to kill viruses in sprayed
mists. Oral preparations were also shown to be effective, along with
handwashing using mild iodine solutions. Derry said research showed that iodine
incorporated into masks, aerosols, and oral preparations could all help kill
influenza viruses. His conclusions state that free iodine (molecular iodine) is
the best way to combat an influenza outbreak.7
Nobel prize winner Sir
Frank Macfarlane Burnet and Joyce D. Stone showed that when mice were exposed
to lethal doses of influenza, a control group with iodine rubbed on their
snouts survived while the unprotected mice died. They suggested that “it may be
worth considering iodine vapor as a practical means of limiting indoor
infection during an influenza epidemic.”8
Research has continued to
show iodine to be effective against viruses. In 1943, Dunham and MacNeal demonstrated
that vaccinia virus could be killed with a 3% tincture of iodine. In 1955,
Louis Gershenfeld found that tincture of iodine was the most the effective
antiseptic found to quickly destroy the poliovirus. He reported that he
developed a mouthwash capable of killing the virus using concentrations of free
iodine. These landmark studies and others demonstrate iodine’s efficacy as an
antiviral.9
Recently, much research
has been published on the effects PVP-1 has on the COVID-19 virus and its rapid
inactivation upon exposure. Multiple studies have shown that povidone-iodine
with its small amount of I2 has quick and
effective antiviral qualities and is sufficient to be used as a proactive
preventive therapy against COVID-19. It has many uses including hand and skin
sanitizing, oral rinsing, throat spraying, gargling, and nasal spraying to
inactivate the virus.10-12
Currently, the most common
source of iodine disinfection is PVP-1, but there are limitations of use due to
its staining, toxicity, and taste. This new generation of iodine products is
now available and has eliminated these negative effects by isolating,
stabilizing, and concentrating the bioactive I2. This has enormous
implications in the management and treatment of many microbial-sourced diseases.
Since I2 has been proven to
completely inactivate the COVID-19 virus, it seems prudent that it be used in
medical and dental environments.13
A preliminary protocol
Based upon the recent
developments and research regarding I2’s effectiveness against all bacteria, viruses, and
especially the COVID-19 virus, our dental office has been implementing its use
in as many different delivery systems as we can to protect our patients and
staff. We have developed a preliminary protocol for the use of I2.
We have every patient use
IoTech’s 200 ppm hand sanitizer in the reception area. This has 100 times more
I2 than conventional
7.5% PVP-1 that has been used as a surgical hand scrub for more than 50 years.
We have a spray bottle at the front desk where we spray our patients’ hands and
let them rub it in.
Once in the operatory, we
have patients gargle and swish with IoTech’s RTU (ready to use) mouthwash, a
100 ppm I2 formula. Patients do
this for 30 seconds, as the Utah State University study showed complete viral
inactivation after a 30-second exposure.
We also add IoTech’s
concentrated formula into our distilled water system, creating a 10%
concentration that runs through our waterlines and handpieces. When we use an
ultrasonic scaler, we use a 20% concentration in its self-contained water
system. Studies have shown that I2 is extremely effective as a waterline
disinfectant.14
Last but not least, we
have air diffusers in the lobby and in each operatory that dispense I2 into the air to help
kill any airborne viruses. This has been a suggested procedure many times in
various research papers throughout the past few decades.15 Our diffusers are
the standard ones used for diffusing scented oils for fragrance. We pour the
unscented mouthwash formula into the diffuser and run it throughout the
workday.
We have encouraged all of
our patients and staff members to use I2 rinses as a daily at-home rinse. Dr. Gordon
Christensen’s clinical evaluators highly recommended it as a preventive
antimicrobial agent against periodontal and caries pathogens in Clinician’s
Report. Now, COVID-19 gives us another reason to recommend I2.
IoTech has since come out
with a saline/molecular iodine nasal spray that we suggest everyone use as
research points to COVID-19 beginning in the mouth, throat, and nasopharyngeal
areas. The nasal spray will disinfect areas unreachable by gargling. The 200
ppm hand sanitizer is extremely effective, and we highly recommend it. With
these products, patients and staff can be proactive in preventing illness from
the virus.16
Dentists now have an
opportunity to help their patients and staff in the fight against the pandemic
we are now facing. Not only can dentists help keep their patients healthy, but
they can also raise their value as health-care providers in the community.
Research has pointed us in the right direction with molecular iodine. We just
need to implement it and spread the word that there is a safe and inexpensive
pathway to prevention of COVID-19.
Author’s note: Dr. Trettenero has
declared no financial relationship with IoTech International.
2020 A.D.E. SINCE TIME BEGAN : salus populi suprema est lex - the right of the people is the supreme law : IN TRUTH WE TRUST 2020 A.D.E.
