Non-Thermal Plasma as a Novel Strategy for Treating or Preventing Viral Infection and Associated Disease

Abstract

Pathogenic viruses cause many human, animal, and plant diseases that are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and socio-economic impact. Although effective strategies for combatting virus transmission and associated disease are available, global outbreaks of viral pathogens such as the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate that there is still a critical need for new approaches that can be used to interrupt the chain of viral infection and mitigate virus-associated pathogenesis. Recent studies point to non-thermal plasma (NTP), a partly ionized gas comprised of a complex mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species along with physical effectors, as the potential foundation for new antiviral approaches. A more thorough understanding of the antiviral properties and safety of NTP has stimulated explorations of NTP as the basis for treatments of viral diseases. The recently described immunomodulatory properties of NTP are also being evaluated for potential use in immunotherapies of viral diseases as well as in antiviral vaccination strategies. In this review, we present the current state-of-the-art in addition to compelling arguments that NTP merits further exploration for use in the prevention and management of viral infections and associated diseases.

Cold atmospheric plasma for addressing the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Plasma jets, corona discharges, microwave discharges, and DBDs are common sources of CAP (Figure 1 ). [ 33 , 53 , 54 ] Plasma jets, including different configurations, enable gas discharge in an open electrode arrangement and project the plasma's reactive species. [ 55 ] Corona discharges are weakly luminous discharges often appearing near sharp electrode geometries (e.g., edges, thin wires, or points) at atmospheric pressure.…”

“…Mohamed et al [ 33 ] provided an excellent review of CAP as an antiviral strategy and provide insight into its virucidal action, antiviral mechanisms, and potential application value. Notably, plasma‐based oxidants and active substances have been shown to initiate viral inactivation and the efficient virucidal properties of CAP.…”

Review on inactivation of airborne viruses using non-thermal plasma technologies: from MS2 to coronavirus

“…Likewise, the virus will also be subjected to high electric fields at the plasma-surface interface. All of these active species (OH°, O°, O 3 , e − ) ensure the inactivation of the virus (Mohamed et al 2021).…”

Cold atmospheric plasma decontamination of SARS‐CoV‐2 bioaerosols

“…For this reason, filters require frequent maintenance and must be replaced frequently (approximately every 12-18 months). [11,12] In addition, in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, filters cause pressure losses that can be significant and impact the cost of a ventilator. UV-C technology is well established for the inactivation of pathogens, particularly on surfaces.…”

“…In the air, the potential to inactivate pathogens is reduced considering the low residence times of particles. [11,12] Furthermore, prolonged or incorrect UV exposure can cause numerous health hazards. It is known that UV-C rays can induce mutations in skin cells that can result in cancer; thus, UV-C exposure should be limited in humans as much as possible.…”