Plasma‐induced inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms: The role of atomic oxygen and comparison with disinfectants and antibiotics. Issue 1 (13th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nandula, Seshagiri R.; Kondeti, Vighneswara S. S. K.; Phan, Chi; Wang, Jianan; Penningroth, Mitchell R.; Granick, Jennifer L.; Bruggeman, Peter J.; Hunter, Ryan C.
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 20:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-13
• Subjects: biofilm -- cold atmospheric plasma -- Staphylococcus aureus; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202200147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract: Microbial biofilms are of critical concern because of their recalcitrance to antimicrobials. Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP) represent a promising biofilm remediation strategy as they generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), but mechanisms underpinning CAP‐biofilm interactions remain unknown. We assess the impact of treatment modality on biofilm inactivation and show that CAP killing of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms is dependent on treatment conditions, including solution chemistry. In dry treatments, biofilms are locally ablated due to plasma‐produced O flux. For saline‐submerged biofilms, while we show that ClO − is generated at high concentrations in larger treatment volumes, CAP inactivation at low ClO − concentrations implicates other reaction pathways. Finally, we demonstrate CAP efficacy over conventional antimicrobials, underscoring its promise as a biofilm treatment approach. Abstract : Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) are a promising modality for remediating microbial biofilms, though their mechanisms are not known. Here, we assess the mechanistic basis for CAP‐mediated biofilm inactivation and the impact of treatment modality on CAP‐biofilm interactions. High concentrations of ClO − are generated in CAP‐treated saline solutions that mediate biofilm inactivation, but killing at low ClO − concentrations also implicates other reaction pathways. CAP efficacy is also shown to be more effective than conventional antimicrobials.