There is no glory in prevention

Das Präventionsparadox in der Zahnmedizin Corona hat uns nach wie vor im Griff. Die Infektionszahlen steigen nach dem Sommerurlaub wieder. Das Virus will einfach nicht verschwinden. In Berlin demonstriert regelmäßig eine heterogene Gruppe von Verschwörungsgläubigen, Impfgegnern, Rechtsextremen und anderen Unzufriedenen gegen die vermeintliche Gängelung durch die Maskenpflicht und die Schutzmaßnahmen und einige „Querdenkende“ rufen gar das Ende der Pandemie aus. Manche haben im Frühjahr noch umfassend Klopapier gehamstert und lassen jetzt der Angst den Übermut und teilweise auch die Wut folgen, als wenn es keinen Mittelweg zwischen Panik und Sorglosigkeit gäbe.

The role of toothbrush in the transmission of corona- and influenza viruses - results of an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate viruses' stabilities on manual toothbrushes using feline coronavirus (FeCoV) as representative of coronaviruses and an Avian influenza A virus H1N1 for influenza viruses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two viruses, FeCoV (Strain Munich; titer 107.5 TCID50/ml) and H1N1 (RE 230/90; titer 106.5 TCID50/ml), were used in this study. Manual toothbrushes were disassembled into bristles, bristle fixation, and back of the toothbrush head, contaminated with the viruses and air-dried for 24 h. In a second experiment, whole toothbrush heads were contaminated, rinsed with water (5 ml for 15 s) and then air-dried. RESULTS: For FeCoV, immediately after contamination, the following average titers were recovered: fixation: 106.41, back of head: 106.81 and bristles: 106.63 TCID50/ml. Following air-drying of 12 (fixation) and 24 h, titers of ≤ 102.5, 103.75, and 102.72 TCID50/ml were found in the respective groups, with a detection limit of 102.5 TCID50/ml. For H1N1, immediately after contamination, the following average titers could be recovered: fixation: 105.53, back of head: 105.97 and bristles: 105.75 TCID50/ml. Following air-drying of 8 (fixation) and 24 h, titers were ≤ 102.5, 103.63, and 103.53 TCID50/ml in the respective group, again with 102.5 TCID50/ml being the detection limit. In case of water rinse, no infectious virus could be recovered after 12 h. CONCLUSION: Viral load of both viruses is reduced by air-drying, especially following water rinsing. Clinical relevance The toothbrush itself plays an insignificant role in the self-transmission of coronavirus and influenza virus.