Evaluation of cold plasma efficiency in reducing the population of bacteria involved in wound infections using argon plasma jet

Background and Aim : Microbial cells in chronic wounds seriously delay wound healing, so inactivating microbial cells is an important step in the healing process. Atmospheric pressure cold plasma can effectively inactivate microbial cells and can be developed as an effective tool for topical antimicrobial therapy. Atmospheric pressure cold plasma produces a wide range of chemically active species including reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RONS), excited molecules and UV photons. These active species are responsible for inactivating bacterial cells.Methods : In this study, argon plasma jet was applied to two pathogenic bacteria responsible for wound infections, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for different periods of time up to ۱۵۰s. After plasma exposure, bacterial population was determined using the plate count assay and compared with control.Results : The results showed that argon cold plasma was highly efficient against both strains and plasma exposure for at least ۱۵s caused a significant decrease of bacterial cells by ۵۸ and ۶۱ % for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Also, the highest population reduction for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was recorded by ۶۷ and ۷۶ %, after ۱۵۰s of plasma exposure.Conclusion : Atmospheric pressure cold plasma is considered a mild disinfection method without undesirable effect on wound heating and without remaining residue on the treated surfaces. Thus, non-thermal technology could be considered a safe, environmental friendly and cost-effective approach compared with alternative disinfection and antisepsis methods.

کلیدواژه ها:

cold plasma ، antibacterial ، antisepsis ، wound infection