Effects of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on bacteria and mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Abstract Objective Ear, nose and throat infections are among the most common reasons for absence from work. They are usually caused by various bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) can effectively eliminate even multi-resistant bacteria and has no cytotoxic or mutagenic effects on the mucosa when applied for less than 60 s. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of CAP on common ENT bacteria and on the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. Methods The bactericidal effects of CAP against the bacteria most commonly causing ENT infections were investigated using the colony-forming…