Effectiveness of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Staphylococcus Aureus Colonies on Living Animal Tissue Surface

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most common pathogen associated with skin infections worldwide. Significant efforts have been made to identify and develop innovative therapeutic strategies against S. aureus as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Physical plasma has a broad range of potential uses, with non-destructive disinfection being one of its earliest applications. Although the literature emphasizes the antibacterial properties of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), the effect of plasma on S. aureus on damaged skin susceptible to S. aureus invasion through the itch-scratch cycle has not been studied to date. Thus, we examined the effectiveness of CAP treatment on S. aureus bacteria in atopic dermatitis lesions using floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge devices, as well as helium and argon plasma jets. Heat distribution on the skin target, ultraviolet C radiation, and ozone generation of plasma jets for the operator of plasma sources were evaluated. Microbial tests confirmed the presence of S. aureus on the lesions of the groups before treatment. The groups exposed to plasma treatment showed a notable reduction in bacterial population compared to the model group (p<0.05). Furthermore, our investigation indicated that plasma treatment reduced pruritus behavior. The findings suggest that cold atmospheric plasma treatment may potentially target skin infections caused by S. aureus in addition to conventional therapies.