Effect of atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasmas on Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Abstract

In this study, the sterilizing effect of atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasmas (APNPs) on Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) was preliminarily examined and the possible mechanisms were explored. N. gonorrhoeae FA1090, FA19 and MS11 were treated by APNPs and their survival rate was analyzed by using CFUs counting and structurally studied by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The morphological changes of bacterial cell membrane and wall were studied under TEM. Our results showed that APNPs had strong sterilizing effect on N. gonorrhoeae. The survival rate of MS11 in N. gonorrhoeae liquid medium was 60.65% after disinfection with the APNPs for 5 min, whereas, the survival rate of FA19 was 92.60% and the rate of FA1090 was 96.40%. The survival rate of MS11 was 21.13% after exposure to APNPs for 6 min, whereas the survival rate of FA19 was 31.60% and the rate of FA1090 was 91.00%. N. gonorrhoeae was structurally damaged after treatment with APNPs. It is concluded that APNPs is able to effectively and quickly kill the N. gonorrhoeae, and the killing effect is related to the architectural damage of cell membrane.

Keywords

plasma / sterilization / Neisseria gonorrhoeae

References

[1] HerrmannH.W., HeninsI., ParkJ., et al.. Dicontamination of chemical and biological war fare (CBW) agents using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). Phys Plasmas, 1999, 5(6): 2284-2289

[2] SharmaA., PrudenA., YuZ., et al.. Bacterial inactivation in open air by the afterglow plume emitted from a grounded hollow slot electrode. Environ Sci Technol, 2005, 39(1): 339-344

[3] KyiM.S., HoltonJ., RidgwayG.L.. Assessment of the efficacy of a low temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system. J Hosp Infect, 1995, 31(4): 275-284

[4] MoreiraA.J., MansanoR.D., PintoT.J.A., et al.. Sterilization by oxygen plasma. Appl Surface Sci, 2004, 235(1–2): 151-155

[5] VeneziaR.A., OrricoM., HoustonE., et al.. Lethal activity of nonthermal plasma sterilization against microorganisms. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2008, 29(5): 430-436

[6] WattsA.E., FubiniS.L., Vernier-SingerM., et al.. In vitro analysis of nonthermal plasma as a disinfecting agent. Am J Vet Res, 2006, 67(12): 2030-2035

[7] Kamgang-YoubiG., HerryJ.M., MeylheucT., et al.. Microbial inactivation using plasma-activated water obtained by gliding electric discharges. Lett Appl Microbiol, 2009, 48(1): 13-18

[8] DengS., RuanR., MokC.K., et al.. Inactivation of Escherichia coli on almonds using nonthermal plasma. J Food Sci, 2007, 72(2): 62-66

[9] StoffelsE., KieftI.E., SladekR.E., et al.. Gas plasma treatment: a new approach to surgery?. Crit Rev Biomed Eng, 2004, 32(5–6): 427-460

[10] ChenH.X., WuZ., ChenR., et al.. Typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Opa and NG-MAST gene of 12 pairs of sexual contact gonorrhea patients in China. J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog [Med Sci], 2008, 28(4): 472-475

[11] BenstaaliB., BoubertP., CheronB.G., et al.. Density and rotational temperature measurements of the OH and NO radicals produced by gliding arc in humid air. Plasma Chem Plasma Proc, 2002, 22(4): 553-571

[12] BenstaaliB., MoussaD., AddouA., et al.. Plasma treatment of aqueous solutes: some chemical properties of gliding arc in humid air. Eur Phys J Appl, 1998, 4(2): 171-179

[13] LaroussiM., LeipoldF.. Evaluation of the roles of reactive species, heat and UV radiation in the inactivation of bacterial cells by air plasmas at atmospheric pressure. Int J Mass Spectrom, 2004, 233(1–3): 81-86

[14] MoreauM., FeuilloleyM.G.J., VeronW., et al.. Gliding arc discharge in the potato pathogen Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica:mechanism of the lethal action and effect on membrane-associated molecules. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2007, 73(18): 5904-5910

[15] MoisanM., BarbeauJ., MoreauS., et al.. Low temperature sterilization using gas plasmas: a review of the experiments, and an analysis of the inactivation mechanisms. Int J Pharmaceutics, 2001, 226(5): 1-21

[16] OhshimaT., SatoM., SaitoM.. Selective release of intracellular protein using pulsed electric field. J Electrost, 1995, 35(11): 103-112

[17] ElmnasserN., GuillouS., LeroiF., et al.. Pulsed-light systemas a novel food decontamination technology: a review. Can J Microbiol, 2007, 53(7): 813-821

[18] BoudamM.K., MoisanM., SaoudiB., et al.. Bacterial spore inactivation by atmospheric-pressure plasmas in the presence or absence of UV photons as obtained with the same gas mixture. J Phys D: Appl Phys, 2006, 39: 3494-3507

[19] MarisolD.L., RodolfoJ.B., CarlosA.M., et al.. Kinetics of bacteria inactivation employing UV radiation under clear water conditions. Chem Eng J, 2006, 121(2): 135-145

[20] Kuzmichev AI, Soloshenko IA, Tsiolko VV, et al. Features of sterilization by different type of atmospheric pressure discharges. In proceedings of the International Symposium on High Pressure, Low Temperature Plasma Chemistry, Hakone VII, Germany: Greifswald, 402–406

[21] FridmanG., BrooksA.D., BalasubramanianM., et al.. Comparison of direct and indirect effects of non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma on bacteria. Plasma Process Polym, 2007, 4(4): 370-375

[22] BaierR.E., CarterJ.M., SorensonS.E., et al.. Radiofrequency gas plasma (glow discharge). Disinfection of dental operative instruments, including handpieces. J Oral Implantol, 1992, 18(3): 236-242

[23] WuZ.H., ChenH.X., ChenR.Y., et al.. Coversion of clinical multiple drug-resisteant isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae into drug-sensitve ones by using EGS technique. Acta Med Univ Sci Technol Huazhong, 2008, 37(3): 368-371

[24] MendisD.A., RosenbergM., AzamF.. A note on the possible electrostatic disruption of bacteria. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Sci, 2000, 28(4): 1304-1306