Important finding for COVID-19 pandemic; Hydrocephalus producing effect of vaporised alcohol disinfectant

Abstract

Background: Alcohol exposure may cause hydrocephalus. In this study, the effect of vaporized nasal alcohol exposure on the choroid plexus, ependymal cells, and developing hydrocephalus was investigated. METHODS: 24 males (∼380g) Wistar rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into three groups, as the control, SHAM and study groups. Then, the study group was again divided into two groups as exposed to light or heavy dose alcohol. The choroid plexuses and intraventricular ependymal cells and ventricles volumes were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Degenerated epithelial cells density 22±5 /mm3in the control group, 56±11 /mm3in the SHAM group, 175±37 /mm3in the light, and 356±85 /mm3in the heavy alcohol exposure group. Evan's index was less than [removed]36% in the SHAM, larger than >40% in the group which was exposed to light alcohol (light alcohol group), larger than >50% in heavy alcohol (heavy alcohol group) exposed. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that alcohol exposure causes choroid plexus and ependymal cell degeneration with ciliopathy and the enlarged lateral ventricles or hydrocephalus. In the COVID-19 Pandemic Era, our findings are functionally important; alcohol has often been used for hygiene and prevention of transmission of COVID-19 pandemic.