Hélio Igor Melo de Albuquerque

Bio: Hélio Igor Melo de Albuquerque is an academic researcher from Universidade Federal de Sergipe. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Coronavirus. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 6 publications receiving 9 citations.

Teledentistry in Brazil: a viable alternative during COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract: IDepartment of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Sergipe – Aracaju (SE), Brazil. IISchool of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. IIIDepartment of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade Estadual de Campinas – Piracicaba (SP), Brazil. Corresponding author: Lucas Alves da Mota Santana. Department of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Health and Biological Sciences Institute. Rua Cláudio Batista, s/n, Santo Antônio, CEP: 49060102, Aracaju, SE, Brazil. E-mail: lucassantana.pat@gmail.com Conflict of interests: nothing to declare – Financial support: none. DOI: 10.1590/1980-549720200082

Excessive use of disinfectants against COVID-19 posing a potential threat to living beings

Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan city of China in late December 2019 and identified as a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. The rapid spread of the pathogen across the communities shock the entire population. As no existing therapy were available during the pandemic. Health professionals recommended frequent washing of hands with soap and alcohol-based sanitizers. Disinfectants were extensively sprayed to minimize the possibility of getting COVID-19. Despite the potential benefits of these germicidal agents against COVID-19. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers lead to dry skin, infection, and alcohol poisoning. Children are considered more prone to alcohol poisoning and other major health concern. Precautionary measures should be ensured to protect the community from the possible risk associated with disinfectants.

Virucidal efficacy of chlorhexidine: a systematic review.

Abstract: This study aimed to systematically review the literature about the virucidal efficacy of CHX in comparison to other substances used in the oral cavity. Electronic searches were performed in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science). Only studies that presented the following characteristics were included: (1) verified virucidal efficacy of CHX against Herpes Simplex Type-1 (HSV-1), any Influenza, or any human coronavirus (HcoV); and (2) compared the virucidal efficacy of CHX with essential oils (Listerine®), quaternary ammonium compounds, povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, negative control substance, and absence of therapy. Two researchers independently selected the studies, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. A narrative data synthesis was used. Twenty-five studies were included, of which 21 were in vitro and four were randomized clinical trials (RCT). Studies assessed the virucidal efficacy of CHX against Herpes Simplex Type-1 (HSV-1) (10 studies), Influenza A (InfluA) (4 studies), human coronavirus (HCoV) (4 studies) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (11 studies). Most studies demonstrated that CHX has a positive virucidal efficacy against HSV-1 and InfluA strains. However, lower efficacy was shown to InfluA strain in comparison to povidone-iodine. Lower to none virucidal efficacy of CHX is expected for HCoV and SARS-CoV-2 strains for in vitro studies. Three RCT demonstrated that CHX was able to significantly reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 for a short period. CHX may present an interesting virucidal efficacy against HSV-1 and InfluA viruses. CHX also presents transient efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 when used as a mouthwash.