title: Low-temperature plasma--a prospective microbicidal tool.
abstract: The effects of low-temperature plasma treatment on microorganisms typically related to skin diseases are studied qualitatively by the inhibition of growth and viability assays to evaluate the potential for classifying as a prospective antiseptic agent. A variety of microorganisms enveloping gram- negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as one genus of yeast and fungus each were exposed to plasma in vitro. In a comparative approach, two power supplies, both of which produce high voltage pulses yet at different temporal characteristics, are applied for the growth study. While operation with both devices led to growth inhibition of all microbes, the results indicate a superior antimicrobial efficacy for high voltage pulse lengths in the nanosecond scale. Fluorescence assays reveal the efficacy of nanosecond-pulse driven plasma in reducing germ viability. Furthermore, the technical background for patents related to low-temperature plasma technology in the field of plasma medicine is discussed.
authors: Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Von-Ossietzky-Str. 99, 37085 Goettingen, Germany. helmke@hawk-hhg.de
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Helmke
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Grünig
authors: Ulrich-Markus
authors: UM
authors: Fritz
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Wandke
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Emmert
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Petersen
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Viöl
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000985:Antisepsis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008864:Microsporum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D058626:Plasma Gases