In vitro and in vivo analysis of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced plasma-induced effluent for infection and contamination mitigation at research and medical facilities

Abstract

The growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a unique challenge to animal and human health. The threat of nosocomial infections in hospitals and infectious outbreaks in vivaria through fomites requires novel technological solutions. We describe the use of a compact device capable of producing a disinfecting air stream based on electrical plasma-induced chemistry and hydrogen peroxide additives. We show that this device can deactivate strains of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro on a potential fomite in medical and research facilities. Deactivation takes less than a minute and does not require high temperatures. Exposure of human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) in isolated cultures show that human skin cells are much less affected by the treatment than bacteria. In addition, an in vivo acute exposure of shaved CD-1 mice and subsequent histology shows no adverse effects on the skin as compared to alcohol-based hand sanitizers and Silvadene. The results suggest that the technology is suitable as a general disinfection procedure for heat-sensitive inanimate objects in a short exposure time. In addition, it is not a danger to live tissue when exposed acutely, suggesting potential use as a regular disinfection procedure.