This is the future of prevention.
A recent study indicates that a non-drug nasal spray could potentially be more effective than masks in curbing the spread of respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID-19. This innovative spray is formulated with medically inactive ingredients designed to capture and neutralize germs in the nasal passages before they can cause infection.
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston developed this Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray (PCANS) to block pathogens in three ways: by forming a gel-like matrix that traps respiratory droplets, immobilizes germs, and effectively neutralizes them. Co-senior study author Nitin Joshi highlighted that most respiratory viruses enter the body through the nose, and while vaccines bolster the immune system, they don’t prevent initial exposure.
The researchers utilized a 3D-printed model of the human nose to test the spray’s effectiveness, discovering that PCANS captured double the number of droplets compared to natural mucus. The gel formed by the spray significantly increases its strength, allowing it to block and neutralize nearly all tested viruses and bacteria, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
In experiments conducted on mice, a single dose of the nasal spray effectively prevented flu infection at a level much higher than the lethal dose. The treated mice showed no signs of viral presence in their lungs and did not experience immune responses such as inflammation, demonstrating the spray’s promising efficacy.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct human clinical trials to further evaluate the spray’s effectiveness. They are also exploring its potential for relieving allergies by assessing whether it can effectively block allergens in addition to pathogens. This study has been published in the journal Advanced Materials, marking a significant step forward in respiratory virus prevention.
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