Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet Associated to Polyene Antifungals on Candida albicans Biofilms

Abstract

The increasing incidence of antifungal resistance represents a great challenge in the medical area and, for this reason, new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of fungal infections are urgently required. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been proposed as a promising alternative technique for the treatment of superficial candidiasis, with inhibitory effect both in vitro and in vivo. However, little is known on the association of CAP with conventional antifungals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the association between CAP and conventional polyene antifungals on Candida albicans biofilms. C. albicans SC 5314 and a clinical isolate were used to grow 24 or 48 h biofilms, under standardized conditions. After that, the biofilms were exposed to nystatin, amphotericin B and CAP, separately or in combination. Different concentrations of the antifungals and sequences of treatment were evaluated to establish the most effective protocol. Biofilms viability after the treatments was compared to negative control. Data were compared by One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey (5%). The results demonstrate that 5 min exposure to CAP showed more effective antifungal effect on biofilms when compared to nystatin and amphotericin B. Additionally, it was detected that CAP showed similar (but smaller in magnitude) effects when applied in association with nystatin and amphotericin B at 40 µg/mL and 60 µg/mL. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of CAP alone was more effective against C. albicans biofilms than in combination with conventional polyene antifungal agents.

Simultaneous Treatment of Both Sides of the Polymer with a Conical-Shaped Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

“…In the late 1990s, atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) appeared to mitigate, reduce or suppress the deficiency mentioned above. APPJs generate plasma plumes in open spaces, enabling the direct treatment of samples of different shapes and sizes [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Over the years, APPJs have been successfully tested in many applications, such as material treatment, sterilization, cancer and wound treatment, aesthetic applications, and dentistry [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

“…However, plasma jets have diameters of a few millimeters, making them suitable for biomedical applications [ 24 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 50 ]. It is known that the most intense effect of APPJ is in the central region, with a gradual decrease as it moves away from the plasma plume region.…”

Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibit heterogenous tolerance to direct cold atmospheric plasma therapy

“…To this end, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has arisen as a potential therapy due to its antimicrobial activity, whilst also contributing to wound healing and repair [ 12 ]. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, though the antimicrobial effects of CAP is thought to originate via the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species [ [13] , [14] , [15] ]. One particular species generated by CAP, H 2 O 2 , is widely used as an antiseptic, for topical treatment of infected chronic wounds, therefore its applicability in wound healthcare is pertinent.…”

Effect of Gliding Arc Plasma Jet on the Mycobiota and Deoxynivalenol Levels in Naturally Contaminated Barley Grains

“…NTAPP is an eco-friendly technology generated by an ionized gas that produces reactive species from the gas phase of plasma, plasma–air interaction, or interaction with treated/activated substrates [ 2 ]. Reactive species are of great scientific interest due to the action of their active constituents in areas such as, medicine, dentistry, agriculture, environment, and food [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The physicochemical reactions generated in plasma interaction with air create reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen (RONS), whose main constituents are nitrates (NO 3 ), nitrite (NO 2 ), peroxynitrite (ONOO − ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), hydroxyl (OH), oxygen (O 2 ), superoxide (O 2 ), and ozone (O 3 ) [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 10 ].…”

“…The physicochemical reactions generated in plasma interaction with air create reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen (RONS), whose main constituents are nitrates (NO 3 ), nitrite (NO 2 ), peroxynitrite (ONOO − ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), hydroxyl (OH), oxygen (O 2 ), superoxide (O 2 ), and ozone (O 3 ) [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 10 ]. These plasmas are generally generated as plasma jets (PJ) and may be applied directly or indirectly [ 1 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Direct application is when the PJ is used directly on a substrate for surface treatment or activation.…”