
Dr Endre Szili in his lab at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute.
A new formulation developed by University of South Australia scientists to treat antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections in diabetic foot ulcers could also be used to kill the COVID-19 virus circulating in air conditioning systems.
Enhancing cold plasma ionised gas with peracetic acid eradicates bacteria in wounds and substantially reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, Australian and UK scientists claim in a paper published in Applied Physics Letters.
In an experiment to find an effective treatment for diabetic foot ulcers which are notoriously resistant to antibiotics, UniSA physicist Dr Endre Szili, in collaboration with Professor Rob Short at Lancaster University and British colleagues at the University of Bath, GAMA Healthcare and AGA Nanotech, made an unexpected discovery.
“By combining cold plasma gas with acetyl donor molecules to improve its oxidation action, we found it completely killed bacteria that are found in chronic wounds,” according to lead researcher Dr Szili.
“We then investigated whether this same technology could be effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus and it appears that it is.
“We showed that we could achieve an 84 per cent reduction in viral load using plasma combined with acetyl donor molecules based on a standard dosage that is safe for human cells. However, it is highly possible with some modifications that we could eradicate it completely.”
The acetyl donor proprietary technology is owned by AGA Nanotech, a UK-based technology company focused on overcoming the increased problem of antimicrobial resistance. The solution is yet to be tested on variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Dr Szili says the technology could be used to disinfect surfaces in hospitals and other buildings, as well as dispersed through air conditioning systems.
For diabetic patients, the findings are also significant, promising an end to chronic foot wounds which affect approximately 15 per cent of the world’s 415 million diabetics.
Diabetes is the world’s fastest growing chronic health condition, costing almost USD$700 billion a year.
“Foot ulcers are a huge problem for diabetics. Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment, but bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics and we need a new solution,” Dr Szili says.
Cold plasma is generally effective at targeting free swimming bacteria, but when enough bacteria colonise a wound and form a biofilm, they are more resistant to the treatment. Combining the plasma with acetyl donor molecules (ADMs) generates hydrogen peroxide and releases peracetic acid which kills resistant bacteria through a multipronged action.
The researchers compared treatment options for two different types of bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs, and other parts of the body after surgery; and Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as ‘golden staph,’ which leads to blood poisoning and pneumonia and can be potentially fatal.
The technology using plasma without the ADMs killed the first bacteria but had minimal effect on golden staph. The combined treatment eradicated both bacteria.
“This is very significant for diabetic patients who have foot ulcers that are hard to heal.”
Dr Szili says the formulation could be captured in a cream or gel, an aerosol, or a wound dressing. The latter option is now being trialled with vascular surgeon Professor Rob Fitridge at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“We urgently need an antibiotic-free solution to address the global escalation in antimicrobial resistance and we believe we have made an important first step with this new strategy,” Dr Szili says.
According to a 2016 report published by the Wellcome Collection and UK Government, by 2050 antimicrobial resistance is forecast to cause 10 million deaths a year and a potential US$100 trillion shock to the global economy.
Original Article: ‘Wonder gas’ hailed as new treatment for diabetic foot ulcers could also kill COVID-19 virus indoors
More from: University of South Australia | Lancaster University | University of Bath
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Diabetic foot ulcers
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Devices Market totaling around US$ 6.37 Billion by 2032
The demand for hyperbaric oxygen therapy devices has been increasing significantly with rising prevalence of wound infection and gas embolism across the globe, according to ESOMAR-certified Future ...
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Treatment Market Size 2023 With Identification of Major Companies Working In The Market With Related Growths
Treatment Market 2023 with 105 Pages Report and enhance with extents shares into sub-counties are covered in this market. Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Treatment Market conditions can be influenced by a ...
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Market Size, Trends Rising Advancement in Technology & Data Standardization Drive the Growth 2031
The global hyperbaric oxygen therapy market generated $275.1 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $457.6 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% ...
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Market Growth, Size, Share, Opportunities, Industry Analysis and Forecast 2023 To 2028
Pages Report] Rising demand for Pharmaceuticals Industry will drive the Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) segment growth over the next five years. Global Market Analysis for Diabetic ...
- Inpatient Management of Diabetic Foot Disorders
Diabetic foot ulcers may be present in patients who are admitted for nonfoot problems, and these ulcers should be evaluated by the diabetic foot team during the hospitalization. Pathways should be ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Diabetic foot ulcers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”diabetic foot ulcers” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections
- Eye drops recalled after US drug-resistant bacteria outbreak
U.S. health officials are advising people to stop using the over-the-counter eye drops, EzriCare Artificial Tears, that have been linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant infections of Pseudomonas ...
- Eye drops recalled after drug-resistant bacteria outbreak linked to at least one death
U.S. health officials said Thursday a company is recalling its over-the-counter eye drops that have been linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant infections.
- CDC warns that a brand of eyedrops may be linked to serious drug-resistant infections
One person has died and at least three others are left with permanent vision loss because of a bacterial infection possibly linked to a brand of over-the-counter eyedrops, the Centers for Disease ...
- Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from clinical specimens in four Pacific Island countries, 2017–2021
Despite challenges, these Pacific Island laboratories were able to conduct AMR surveillance. These data provide valuable contemporary estimates of AMR prevalence, which will inform local antibiotic ...
- CDC warns that a brand of eyedrops may be linked to drug-resistant bacterial infections
The CDC warned that EzriCare Artificial Tears eyedrops may be linked to a drug-resistant bacterial infection that has caused permanent vision loss and one death.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections
[google_news title=”” keyword=”antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]