Nitrogen Gas Plasma Generated by a Static Induction Thyristor as a Pulsed Power Supply Inactivates Adenovirus

Abstract

Adenovirus is one of the most important causative agents of iatrogenic infections derived from contaminated medical devices or finger contact. In this study, we investigated whether nitrogen gas plasma, generated by applying a short high-voltage pulse to nitrogen using a static induction thyristor power supply (1.5 kilo pulse per second), exhibited a virucidal effect against adenoviruses. Viral titer was reduced by one log within 0.94 min. Results from detection of viral capsid proteins, hexon and penton, by Western blotting and immunochromatography were unaffected by the plasma treatment. In contrast, analysis using the polymerase chain reaction suggested that plasma treatment damages the viral genomic DNA. Reactive chemical products (hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, and nitrite), ultraviolet light (UV-A) and slight temperature elevations were observed during the operation of the gas plasma device. Viral titer versus intensity of each potential virucidal factor were used to identify the primary mechanism of disinfection of adenovirus. Although exposure to equivalent levels of UV-A or heat treatment did not inactivate adenovirus, treatment with a relatively low concentration of hydrogen peroxide efficiently inactivated the virus. Our results suggest the nitrogen gas plasma generates reactive chemical products that inactivate adenovirus by damaging the viral genomic DNA.

Cold argon-oxygen plasma species oxidize and disintegrate capsid protein of feline calicivirus

“…The oxidative stress analysis of CAP on the capsid of FCV agrees with the results of Wigginton et al [ 22 ] on the impact of ozone (one of identified CAP species in our system) on binding of bacteriophage F2 to its host cells. However, our results are contrary to those obtained by Sakudo et al [ 14 ] who found that no alteration in capsid protein of an adenovirus by the species of CAP. This might be due to the differences between structures of adenoviruses and caliciviruses and/or the difference between the CAP species generated by their and our plasma setups.…”

“…However, Yasuda et al [ 18 ] reported results, which suggest that the inactivation of bacteriophage lambda by cold plasma was mainly due to oxidation of the coat protein, and to a lesser extent, by damage to the DNA. A similar mode of action of CAP on bacteriophage MS2 [ 19 ] and human adenovirus [ 20 ], has been suggested but Sakudo et al [ 14 ] found that the reactive chemical species of nitrogen plasma inactivated an adenovirus by damaging its genomic DNA without any alteration in its capsid protein, hexon, or penton [ 14 ]. Similarly, ultraviolet light inactivates viruses by damaging their nucleic acids [ 21 ].…”

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas (CAPs) for Skin Wound Healing

“…Researchers also use CAPs successfully inactivate various virus and mechanism has been investigated as well [49][50][51].…”

Nitrogen gas plasma treatment of bacterial spores induces oxidative stress that damages the genomic DNA

“…Recently, a nitrogen gas plasma instrument (BLP-TES), which generates nitrogen gas plasma using a fast high-voltage pulse from a static induction (SI) thyristor power supply was developed (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Our previous studies (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) have demonstrated that nitrogen gas plasma can be utilized to inactivate various microorganisms. However, the mechanisms of action of gas plasma on microorganisms remain to be elucidated.…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that nitrogen gas plasma treatment using BLP-TES efficiently inactivates bacteria and viruses as well as endotoxins (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Furthermore, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, which is often used as a biological indicator for gas plasma and is one of the most resistant microbes against physical and chemical treatments, was inactivated by treatment with BLP-TES (6,12).…”