Use of ozone in medicine and veterinary practice

Abstract

Ozone is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen that can be produced in specially designed machines: ozone generators (ozonators). It breaks down to dioxygen (O2) and active atomic oxygen (O), which is a very strong oxidant. Due to the fact that its bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal activities are 50 times more powerful than those of chlorine, ozone could be used in a wide range of applications, including disinfection, disinfestation and deodorization. Biochemical properties of ozone make it useful in both human and animal medicine. Ozone therapy has been applied in the treatment of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract diseases, many viral, bacterial and fungal infections, corneal diseases, skin disorders, as well as in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Various forms of ozone are utilized for medical purposes, for example, ozone/oxygene mixture, dressing covered with ozonated water or oil, ozonated infusion fluids and ozonated autohemotherapy (AHT). Medical ozone appeared to be successful in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, infected and nonhealing wounds. When properly conducted, ozone therapy is safe and non-toxic, and should therefore be widely used in veterinary and human medicine practice..