Chapter 13: Antiviral Activity of Iron Oxide and Iron Oxyhydroxide Nanoparticles with a Focus on Respiratory Influenza and Coronavirus Infections Check Access

Pandemics caused by viral infection have become more frequent in the last twenty years, many due to respiratory viruses, such as the most recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. One of the lessons we have learned from these pandemics is the need for a first line of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs to alleviate the most severe symptoms of viral infections, while specific vaccines or antiviral agents are being developed, which usually takes some time. Iron oxide nanoparticles have to date been used as contrast or anti-anaemic agents, but they could serve as broad-spectrum antivirals against respiratory viruses, as seen in different studies. In this chapter, we will look at respiratory viruses, mainly influenza and coronaviruses, and the main antiviral agents currently used; define the nature of iron oxide and iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles and summarize the effects they have on cells and how these effects might drive their antiviral activity.