A.K. Umera Begam, M. Kreshma Ketharin and J. Sirajudeen
Abstract
Health care workers were the most likely to be exposed to COVID-19 because they were in close contact with suspected, probable, or confirmed cases. The present study investigated risk factors for health care workers using surgical face masks. Microorganisms were isolated from the used masks, and four pathogenic strains were identified. These microorganisms were found to be predominant, and the antimicrobial activity of Kabasura Kudineer and Nilavembu (Andrographis paniculata), traditionally used to treat fever, was evaluated against these organisms. Gentamycin was employed as the positive control. Different concentrations of Kabasura Kudineer extracts were prepared and tested for their antimicrobial activity. The extracts inhibited the growth of all tested microbes at all concentrations, with inhibition increasing as concentration increased. It was concluded that the plant constituents of Kabasura Kudineer and Nilavembu were effective against these pathogenic organisms and could potentially be incorporated into masks, thereby protecting health care workers from infections.