Cold atmospheric plasma is a viable solution for treating orthopedic infection: a review.

Abstract

Bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance are major threats to human health and very few solutions are available to combat this eventuality. A growing number of studies indicate that cold (non-thermal) plasma treatment can be used to prevent or eliminate infection from bacteria, bacterial biofilms, fungi and viruses. Mechanistically, a cold plasma discharge is composed of high-energy electrons that generate short-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which further react to form more stable compounds (NO2, H2O2, NH2Cl and others) depending on the gas mixture and plasma parameters. Cold plasma devices are being developed for medical applications including infection, cancer, plastic surgery applications and more. Thus, in this review we explore the potential utility of cold plasma as a non-antibiotic approach for treating post-surgical orthopedic infections.

• Authors: Ly Nguyen, Peng Lu, Daniela Boehm, Paula Bourke, Brendan F Gilmore, Noreen J Hickok, Theresa A Freeman
• Journal: Biological chemistry (Biol Chem) Vol. 400 Issue 1 Pg. 77-86 (12 19 2018) ISSN: 1437-4315 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 30138104 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Bacterial
• Plasma Gases
• Reactive Nitrogen Species
• Reactive Oxygen Species

Topics

• Antigens, Bacterial (drug effects)
• Bacterial Infections (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism)
• Biofilms
• Extracellular Matrix (drug effects)
• Humans
• Orthopedic Procedures (adverse effects)
• Plasma Gases (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Reactive Nitrogen Species (metabolism)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Surgical Wound Infection (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism)