Recherche immunitaire
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Nebulized saline produced by ultrasonic humidifiers should be considered as an option for COVID-19

Tien Le, Phu Van Nguyen, Derek Wilkinson

Saline-based therapies had been considered as promising options for COVID-19 due to the augment of innate responses. SARS-CoV-2 may be present in lower respiratory tracts (LRT) during early stage of the infection, therefore inhaled therapies are ideal to supply saline for the entire airway tract. This is possible with ultrasonic humidifiers that can aerosolize any mineral content in the input water, continuously producing micron- and submicron-sized aerosols that may reach both the upper respiratory tract and LRT. The virucidal action of saline has been demonstrated with not only hypertonic but also with isotonic and hypotonic saline. Therefore, we recommend investigation of the antiviral activity of hypotonic saline for long-term administration as starting points for future experimental designs. Given the persistence of the antiviral response post-treatment, the prevention of COVID-19 via daily administration of nebulized chloride therapy should be examined. In brief, ultrasonic humidifiers could be adapted to produce an inexpensive, simple, and promising therapy for COVID-19.