Abstract
We report on the use of three “cold” atmospheric plasma (CAP) devices in treating model nails that have been coated on the backside of the nail with either Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria or Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) fungus. We tested a helium plasma jet; a surface microdischarge plasma device; and a floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge. All of the devices, acting through the model nail, showed significant log reductions of bacterial and fungal targets in several tens of minutes. CAP technology appears to offer promise as a safe, effective, and inexpensive therapy for fungal nail infection treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 588-597 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Plasma Processes and Polymers |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Polymers and Plastics
Keywords
- bacterial inactivation
- fungal inactivation
- non-thermal plasmas
- onychomycosis