Lunder M, Dahle S, Fink R. Cold atmospheric plasma for surface disinfection: a promising weapon against deleterious meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.
J Hosp Infect 2024;
143:64-75. [PMID:
37939884 DOI:
10.1016/j.jhin.2023.10.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to classical antimicrobial agents, so new approaches need to be explored.
AIM
To assess the potential of cold atmospheric plasma for the management of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
METHODS
The 24, 48, and 72 h resistant and susceptible S. aureus biofilms were exposed to 60, 120, and 180 s treatment with plasma.
FINDINGS
Increasing the treatment time results in higher cell reduction for both susceptible and resistant strains of S. aureus (P < 0.05). Up to log10 reduction factor of 5.24 cfu/cm2 can be achieved in 180 s of plasma treatment. Furthermore, plasma can substantially alter the cell's metabolisms and impact cell membrane integrity. However, it has not been shown that plasma can reduce biofilm biomass in the case of 24 h and 48 h biofilms, although the 72 h biofilm was more susceptible, and its biomass was decreased (P < 0.05). The accumulation of intrabacterial reactive oxygen species was also observed, which confirms the plasma's induction of oxidative stress. Finally, it was shown that continuous plasma exposure of bacterial cells does not cause resistance to plasma, nor is resistance developed to cefoxitin.
CONCLUSION
Cold atmospheric plasma is a good candidate for S. aureus and MRSA biofilm treatment and may therefore be of value in the bacterial resistance crisis.
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