Abstract
Bacterial biofilm infections account for a major proportion of chronic and medical device associated infections in humans, yet our ability to control them is compromised by their inherent tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) represents a promising therapeutic option. CAP treatment of microbial biofilms represents the convergence of two complex phenomena: the production of a chemically diverse mixture of reactive species and intermediates, and their interaction with a heterogeneous 3D interface created by the biofilm extracellular polymeric matrix. Therefore, understanding these interactions and physiological responses to CAP exposure are central to effective management of infectious biofilms. We review the unique opportunities and challenges for translating CAP to the management of biofilms.
Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
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Bacteria / chemistry
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Bacteria / drug effects*
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Bacteria / growth & development
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Bacteria / metabolism
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Bacterial Infections / microbiology
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Bacterial Infections / therapy*
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DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
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DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
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Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
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Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix / chemistry
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Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix / drug effects*
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Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix / metabolism
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Humans
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Lipids / chemistry
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Plasma Gases / chemistry
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Plasma Gases / pharmacology*
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Polysaccharides, Bacterial / chemistry
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Polysaccharides, Bacterial / metabolism
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Quorum Sensing / drug effects
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Reactive Nitrogen Species / agonists
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Reactive Nitrogen Species / metabolism
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Reactive Oxygen Species / agonists
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Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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DNA, Bacterial
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Lipids
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Plasma Gases
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Polysaccharides, Bacterial
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Reactive Nitrogen Species
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Reactive Oxygen Species