Protective Face Mask Filter Capable of Inactivating SARS-CoV-2, and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Face masks have globally been accepted to be an effective protective tool to prevent bacterial and viral transmission, especially against indoor aerosol transmission. However, commercial face masks contain filters that are made of materials that are not capable of inactivating either SARS-CoV-2 or multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals can infect other people even if they wear them because some viable viral or bacterial loads can escape from the masks. Furthermore, viral or bacterial contact transmission can occur after touching the mask, which constitutes an increasing source of contaminated biological waste. Additionally, bacterial pathogens contribute to the SARS-CoV-2-mediated pneumonia disease complex, and their resistance to antibiotics in pneumonia treatment is increasing at an alarming rate. In this regard, herein, we report the development of a non-woven face mask filter fabricated with a biofunctional coating of benzalkonium chloride that is capable of inactivating more than 99% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in one minute of contact, and the life-threatening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (normalized antibacterial halos of 0.52 ± 0.04 and 0.72 ± 0.04, respectively). Nonetheless, despite the results obtained, further studies are needed to ensure the safety and correct use of this technology for the mass production and commercialization of this broad-spectrum antimicrobial face mask filter. Our novel protective non-woven face mask filter would be useful for many healthcare workers and researchers working in this urgent and challenging field.

Predicting COVID-19—Comorbidity Pathway Crosstalk-Based Targets and Drugs: Towards Personalized COVID-19 Management

“…The current outbreak of COVID-19 has raised unprecedented obstacles for all and has broken down the healthcare system across several countries [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. According to the WHO weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 (4 May 2021), COVID-19 is accounted for 151,812,556 cases and 3,186,817 deaths worldwide [ 6 ].…”

Prosthetic Meshes for Hernia Repair: State of Art, Classification, Antimicrobial Approaches, and Fabrication Methods

“…However, surgical infections have an increasing clinical, economic and socioeconomic impact due to the cost of managing infectious complications in digestive surgery, triple the total direct cost of surgery and the patients' reduced quality of life of patients and affect waiting lists [212,213]. In this regard, the coating of biomaterials with antimicrobial compounds is the most common technique to provide antimicrobial properties to the surface and thus prevent microbial colonization and attachment [214,215]. Antimicrobial meshes can be made by dipping/soaking, plasma surface functionalization, plasma-induced graft polymerization [216] (see Figure 3).…”

Antimicrobial Polymer−Based Assemblies: A Review

“…Therefore, the generation of reactive oxygen species definitely inactivated the virus; the incorporation of these materials in wipes, sprays, masks, and clothing and other personal protection equipment would possibly be useful in preventing infections and the spreading of the virus and future outbreaks from similar viruses [ 193 ]. A more recent report on the development of a non−woven face mask filter fabricated with a coating of benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, was able to inactivate more than 99% of SARS−CoV−2 particles in one minute of contact and also methicillin−resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis ; this would solve the pressing problem of commercial face masks that contained filters not capable of inactivating either SARS−CoV−2 or multidrug−resistant bacteria [ 194 ].…”