Inactivation of human pathogenic dermatophytes by non-thermal plasma

0456143 - MBÚ 2016 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Scholtz, V. - Soušková, H. - Hubka, Vít - Švarcová, M. - Julák, J.
Inactivation of human pathogenic dermatophytes by non-thermal plasma.
Journal of Microbiological Methods. Roč. 119, DEC 2015 (2015), s. 53-58. ISSN 0167-7012. E-ISSN 1872-8359
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0109
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : Corona discharge * Cometary discharge * Decontamination of surfaces
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 1.857, year: 2015

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) was tested as an in vitro deactivation method on four human pathogenic dermatophytes belonging to all ecological groups including anthropophilic Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale, zoophilic Arthroderma benhamiae, and geophilic Microsporum gypseum. The identification of all strains was confirmed by sequencing of ITS rDNA region (internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA). Dermatophyte spores were suspended in water or inoculated on agar plates and exposed to NTP generated by a positive or negative corona discharge, or cometary discharge. After 15 min of exposure to NTP a significant decrease in the number of surviving spores in water suspensions was observed in all species. Complete spore inactivation and thus decontamination was observed in anthropophilic species after 25 min of exposure. Similarly, a significant decrease in the number of surviving spores was observed after 10-15 min of exposure to NTP on the surface of agar plates with full inhibition after 25 min in all tested species except of M. gypseum. Although the sensitivity of dermatophytes to the action of NTP appears to be lower than that of bacteria and yeast, our results suggest that NTP has the potential to be used as an alternative treatment strategy for dermatophytosis and could be useful for surface decontamination in clinical practice.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0256707