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Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Plasma-Activated Saline Promotes Antibiotic Treatment of Systemic Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Lu Yang1, Gulimire Niyazi1, Yu Qi2
1School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
Abstract:
Systemic infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are life-threatening due to their strong multidrug resistance, especially since the biofilms formed by MRSA are more difficult to inactivate by antibiotics, causing long term recurrence of infection. Plasma-activated saline (PAS), a derived form of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma, can effectively inactivate bacteria and cancer cells and has been applied to sterilization and cancer treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated that the pretreatment of MRSA with PAS could promote the action of antibiotics. Here, the PAS was used as an antibiotic adjuvant to promote the inactivation of MRSA biofilms by rifampicin and vancomycin, and the combined treatment reduced approximately 6.0-log10 MRSA cells in biofilms. The plasma-activated saline and rifampicin synergistically and effectively reduced the systemic infection in the murine model. The histochemical analysis and the blood hematological and biochemical test demonstrated that the combined treatment with plasma-activated saline and rifampicin improved the blood hematological and biochemical parameters of infected mice by reducing the infection. Therefore, PAS based on plasma technology represents a new strategy for the treatment of infectious disease caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and alleviating antibiotic resistance.
Insights
Plasma-activated saline (PAS) combined with antibiotics effectively inactivates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms and reduces systemic infections. This novel approach shows promise in combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and overcoming antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plasma Physics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a life-threatening challenge due to multidrug resistance and persistent biofilm formation.
- Biofilms significantly reduce antibiotic efficacy, leading to recurrent infections.
- Plasma-activated saline (PAS) is a cold atmospheric-pressure plasma derivative with demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PAS as an antibiotic adjuvant for inactivating MRSA biofilms.
- To evaluate the efficacy of combined PAS and antibiotic treatment against systemic MRSA infections in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- MRSA biofilms were treated with PAS in combination with rifampicin and vancomycin.
- Systemic infection was treated in a murine model using PAS and rifampicin.
- Histochemical analysis and blood hematological/biochemical tests were performed to assess treatment effects.
Main Results:
- Combined PAS and antibiotic treatment reduced MRSA biofilms by approximately 6.0-log10.
- PAS and rifampicin synergistically reduced systemic MRSA infection in mice.
- The combined treatment improved blood parameters in infected mice, indicating reduced infection.
Conclusions:
- PAS acts as an effective antibiotic adjuvant against MRSA biofilms and systemic infections.
- This plasma technology-based strategy offers a new approach for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
- PAS demonstrates potential in alleviating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
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