INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Left: Infectious aerosols exhaled by spreaders travel through the air, and cause infections in those present. Right: Infectious aerosols exhaled by spreaders are deactivated in the air via the oji active air technology, breaking the infection chain.
against airborne pathogens. At that time there was already a clear understanding of the contribution of the HOCl to the observed result, and not of the chlorite ion (OCl–
), which is partially in solution.
Decades later came the discovery that HOCl is also naturally formed in activated human neutrophils and other tissue-own phagocytes.
HOCl in the body HOCl is both a key player as part of the innate immune response system, and a powerful adjunct augmenting physiological responses. The study of external exposure and delivery of HOCl has recently seen a renaissance as a research field. The development of products to both simulate and augment the physiological HOCl functions has gained enormous interest. In particular, the extracellular attack of pathogens prior to their intracellular replication has become an active area. All practical pathways of administering HOCl have been investigated, and demonstrated as a safe and effective way to boost the innate immune response. The methods span nasal and pharyngeal inhalation, topical applications (e.g. wound care), intraoperative (e.g. peritoneal lavage), gastrointestinal, ocular, and even systemic intravenous (IV) delivery.
Protecting the epithelia Externally applied HOCl can play an important role in the protection of respiratory system epithelia against viral infections. The importance of a parallel occurring intracellular innate immune response effect has also been demonstrated: inhibition of coronavirus infection within cultured epithelial cell lines with externally applied HOCl coincide with intracellular production of HOCl. Apparently, administered HOCl can foster and complement the intracellular HOCl response with direct extracellular pathogen attacks, or by stimulating the intracellular HOCl production rate. The interrelationship of HOCl-
connected extra- and intracellular effects was shown with the markedly inhibited rhinovirus replication in primary cultured nasal epithelial cells by the exposure of infected cultures to HOCl, suggesting that exogenous sources of HOCl may be able to
96 Health Estate Journal October 2022
intervene in the maturation of intracellular virions. Externally applied HOCl plays an important role in stimulating a part of the innate immune system known as mucosal immunity. That is a first line of defence concentrated in cells lining the respiratory tract, and other surfaces like the intestines and the urogenital tract, which doesn’t tend to be activated by conventional vaccines.
Saline solution – promoter of HOCl production A recent scientific discovery demonstrates a natural, safe, and accessible self- administered procedure that enhances our innate immunity. Non-myeloid epithelial cells can produce HOCl. The amount of HOCl generated is dependent on the concentration of available intracellular chloride. In vitro, saline exposure of epithelial cells infected with coronavirus significantly reduced viral replication. In vivo, hypertonic saline nasal irrigation
and gargle (HSNIG) in patients who had upper respiratory infections (URI) caused by coronavirus significantly reduced the duration and severity of the URI compared to similarly infected patients treated with the standard care. HSNIG can suppress viral replication of COVID-19, mitigating the spread during the asymptomatic phase, and reducing the risk of an asymptomatic or symptomatic case progressing to a severe infection.
Enhanced quality of life Phagocytes destroy ingested microbes by producing hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from chloride ions (Cl–
) and hydrogen peroxide
within phagolysosomes, using the enzyme myeloperoxidase. This suggests that non- myeloid cells possess an innate antiviral mechanism – dependent on the availability of Cl– to produce HOCl. Thus, antiviral activity against a broad range of viral infections can be augmented by increasing availability of NaCl. Many studies evaluating the efficacy of saline irrigation have indicated a clear improvement in the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment for various diseases, including rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and in the postoperative care of patients who have undergone endoscopic sinus surgery. However, saline irrigation may be less effective than use of HOCl-activated solutions for uncontrolled rhinosinusitis, because saline irrigation by itself lacks an antibacterial effect, and mucin is hydrophobic.
An overview of current disinfection methods.
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