Evaluation of cold atmospheric pressure plasma effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection in a mouse model

Reyhaneh  Shekari; Gholamreza  Zarrini; Vahid  Siahpoush; Farzam  Sheikhzadeh Hesari

doi:10.18502/ijm.v17i1.17802

Reyhaneh Shekari Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Gholamreza Zarrini Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Vahid Siahpoush Research Institute for Applied Physics and Astronomy, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Farzam Sheikhzadeh Hesari Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i1.17802

Keywords: Cold plasma; Multidrug-resistant; Wound healing antibacterial agents

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Antibiotic resistance in microorganisms is a significant global health concern. Cold atmo- spheric plasma is an innovative and promising method for inactivating bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cold plasma on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mouse wound infection model.

Materials and Methods: The disk diffusion method was used to perform antibiograms after isolating the bacteria. A multi- drug-resistant strain was then selected. The bactericidal activity of cold helium plasma was investigated in vitro. The optimal cold plasma conditions were determined in the laboratory, with a flow of 3 liters per minute and a power of 1.1 watts. These conditions were later used for in vivo evaluations.

Results: In a laboratory study, helium gas plasma treatment for 8 minutes reduced P. aeruginosa by 2.5 logs. In the in vivo study, plasma reduced the wound's microbial load in mice by 1.9 log. The antibiotic treatment group had a 1.2 log reduction. Both plasma and antibiotic therapies had similar effects on microbial inactivation.

Conclusion: The overall evaluation of wound healing time and pathological features showed that plasma was generally better than antibiotic treatment. Plasma can inactivate P. aeruginosa in wounds and accelerate wound healing.