Background

Linear and branched polyethylenimines (PEI; modified and unmodified) have been shown to have surface activity against various viruses, including influenza (Liu et al. 2014, Hsu et al. 2011, Haldar 2008, 2007, 2006), herpes simplex (Hayashi et al. 2014, Larson et al. 2013), papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus (Spoden et al. 2011) , and polio virus (Larson 2011). This anti-viral activity (Sinclair et al. 2018) is in addition to antibacterial and antifungal activity (Hoque et al. 2019 and 2015)). Furthermore, the PEI polymers are active simply by coating surfaces with organic solutions of PEI or with PEI-containing paint (Hoque et al. 2019 and 2015)).