%0 Journal Article
%A Kulaga, Emilia M
%A Jacofsky, David J.
%A McDonnell, Courtney
%A Jacofsky, Marc C.
%D 2016
%I Begell House
%K cold plasma, atmospheric pressure plasma jet, antibiotic resistance, antibiotic alternative, superbugs
%N 1
%P 1-12
%R 10.1615/PlasmaMed.2016015851
%T The Use of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet to Inhibit Common Wound-Related Pathogenic Strains of Bacteria
%U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/5a5b4a3d419387fb,2cf1e1a94009b3e1,30cadb8e109e1932.html
%V 6
%X The Plaz4 electrosurgical generator produces a nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) at 26°C. This APPJ was tested for its antibacterial capabilities on common wound-related pathogens. The inhibition zone (IZ) of bacterial growth and surviving colony-forming units (CFUs) within the IZ were determined for 4 common clinical isolates: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Agar was inoculated at a high density with a bacterial culture medium (107 CFUs/mL). The strains' susceptibility to the APPJ was tested at exposure times between 30 and 140 seconds. A positive correlation between plasma exposure time and bacterial growth IZ size, and a negative correlation between exposure time and the number of surviving CFUs inside the IZ, were observed. It was possible to achieve a round IZ, 4 cm in diameter, for all strains after 70 seconds of exposure, with less than 10 CFUs/cm2 surviving within the zone. P. aeruginosa was more resistant to plasma and required a longer exposure to achieve an IZ similar to that of other strains. However, the number of CFUs surviving inside the IZ was smaller for this strain for a majority of test conditions. Intraoperative contamination is a significant cause of perioperative infection. Drug-resistant bacteria are endemic to hospitals and are a significant public health concern. With the increasing risk of infections related to drug-resistant bacteria, it is crucial to look for alternative treatments. Electrosurgical generators are routinely used in surgical cases. Therefore, Plaz4 applied to surgical sites or debrided wounds could result in a clinically meaningful reduction in tissue bioburden.
%8 2016-09-30