SARS-CoV-2 virus transfers to skin through contact with contaminated solids

Transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from solids to fingers is one step in infection via contaminated solids, and the possibility of infection from this route has driven calls for increased frequency of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic. To analyze this route of infection, we measured the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 that was transferred from a solid to an artificial finger. A droplet of SARS-CoV-2 suspension (1 µL) was placed on a solid, and then artificial skin was briefly pressed against the solid with a light force (3 N). Transfer from a variety of solids was detected, and transfer from the non-porous solids, glass, stainless steel, and Teflon, was substantial when the droplet was still wet. The viral titer for the finger was 13–16% or 0.8–0.9 log less than for the input droplet. Transfer still occurred after the droplet evaporated, but was smaller, 3–9%. We found a lower level of transfer from porous solids but did not find a significant effect of solid wettability for non-porous solids.

The Influence of Tea Tree Oil on Antifungal Activity and Pharmaceutical Characteristics of Pluronic®F-127 Gel Formulations with Ketoconazole

Fungal skin infections are currently a major clinical problem due to their increased occurrence and drug resistance. The treatment of fungal skin infections is based on monotherapy or polytherapy using the synergy of the therapeutic substances. Tea tree oil (TTO) may be a valuable addition to the traditional antifungal drugs due to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity. Ketoconazole (KTZ) is an imidazole antifungal agent commonly used as a treatment for dermatological fungal infections. The use of hydrogels and organogel-based formulations has been increasing for the past few years, due to the easy method of preparation and long-term stability of the product. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design and characterize different types of Pluronic®F-127 gel formulations containing KTZ and TTO as local delivery systems that can be applied in cases of skin fungal infections. The influence of TTO addition on the textural, rheological, and bioadhesive properties of the designed formulations was examined. Moreover, the in vitro release of KTZ, its permeation through artificial skin, and antifungal activity by the agar diffusion method were performed. It was found that obtained gel formulations were non-Newtonian systems, showing a shear-thinning behaviour and thixotropic properties with adequate textural features such as hardness, compressibility, and adhesiveness. Furthermore, the designed preparations with TTO were characterized by beneficial bioadhesive properties. The presence of TTO improved the penetration and retention of KTZ through the artificial skin membrane and this effect was particularly visible in hydrogel formulation. The developed gels containing TTO can be considered as favourable formulations in terms of drug release and antifungal activity.

Formation of an artificial skin vagina

The formation of an artificial vagina from the skin suggests Fraenkel (Zntrl. F. G., 1924, No. 6). The first act of the operation is excision of the hymen plate and separation of the bladder from the rectum to a depth of one finger, followed by tamponade of the formed cavity.