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Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Treating Surfaces with a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma using the COST-Jet
Published on: November 2, 2020
Technologies to decontaminate bacterial biofilm on hospital surfaces: a potential new role for cold plasma?
Muireann Fallon1, Sarah Kennedy1, Stephen Daniels2
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a major challenge and the near patient surface is important in harbouring causes such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile. Current approaches to decontamination are sub-optimal and many studies have demonstrated that microbial causes of HCAIs may persist with onward transmission. This may be due to the capacity of these microbes to survive in biofilms on surfaces. New technologies to enhance hospital decontamination may have a role in addressing this challenge. We have reviewed current technologies such as UV light and hydrogen peroxide and also assessed the potential use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) in surface decontamination. The antimicrobial mechanisms of CAPP are not fully understood but the production of reactive oxygen and other species is believed to be important. CAPP systems have been shown to partially or completely remove a variety of biofilms including those caused by Candida albicans, and multi-drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. There are some studies that suggest promise for CAPP in the challenge of surface decontamination in the healthcare setting. However, further work is required to define better the mechanism of action. We need to know what surfaces are most amenable to treatment, how microbial components and the maturity of biofilms may affect successful treatment, and how would CAPP be used in the clinical setting.
Insights
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a significant problem. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) shows promise for decontaminating surfaces and removing biofilms, potentially reducing the spread of resistant bacteria like MRSA.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant threat due to persistent microbial contamination on near-patient surfaces.
- Current decontamination methods are often suboptimal, allowing pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile to survive and transmit.
- Microbial biofilms on surfaces contribute to the persistence of HCAIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing surface decontamination technologies (UV light, hydrogen peroxide).
- To assess the potential of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) for hospital surface decontamination.
- To identify areas for further research regarding CAPP's efficacy and application.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current decontamination technologies.
- Assessment of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) technology for surface decontamination.
- Evaluation of CAPP's effectiveness against biofilms and multi-drug-resistant bacteria.
Main Results:
- CAPP demonstrates potential for partial or complete removal of various biofilms.
- CAPP has shown efficacy against biofilms formed by Candida albicans and multi-drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
- Existing studies suggest CAPP is a promising technology for healthcare surface decontamination.
Conclusions:
- Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) offers a potential new approach to combatting HCAIs.
- Further research is needed to fully understand CAPP's antimicrobial mechanisms, optimal application, and effectiveness on different surfaces and biofilm types.
- Defining CAPP's clinical utility requires investigation into its interaction with various surfaces, biofilm maturity, and microbial components.
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