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Effectiveness of ozone generated by a dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor against multidrug-resistant

Cheolwoo Bong1, Ji Young Choi2, Jinseung Bae1

  • 1Sungkyunkwan University School of Mechanical Engineering, 2066, Serbu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Scientific Reports
|August 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Ozone gas from a dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor effectively decontaminates surfaces from multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and Clostridioides difficile spores. This method shows promise for reducing healthcare-associated infections caused by these resistant pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Plasma science and technology
  • Infectious disease control

Background:

  • Healthcare environments are significant reservoirs for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and Clostridioides difficile, contributing to healthcare-associated infections.
  • Effective decontamination strategies are crucial to mitigate the spread of these resilient pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of ozone generated by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor against common MDROs and C. difficile spores on various materials.
  • To investigate the impact of ozone concentration and exposure time on decontamination effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Materials contaminated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and C. difficile spores were treated with ozone.
  • Ozone concentrations and exposure times were varied to determine optimal decontamination parameters.
  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to visualize bacterial surface changes post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Ozone treatment achieved significant log reductions for VRE and CRAB on stainless steel, fabric, and wood (≥2 log10) and on glass and plastic (1-2 log10) at 500 ppm for 15 min.
  • Clostridioides difficile spores exhibited higher resistance to ozone compared to the other tested organisms.
  • AFM analysis revealed cell swelling and distortion of bacterial surfaces after ozone exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Ozone generated by DBD plasma is a potent antimicrobial agent against a range of MDROs and C. difficile.
  • The DBD plasma reactor offers a practical and effective tool for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with critical healthcare pathogens.
  • This technology holds potential for enhancing infection control measures in healthcare settings.

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