Decontamination of Nosocomial Bacteria Including Clostridium Difficile Spores on Dry Inanimate Surface by Cold Atmospheric Plasma

Microbial control is important to prevent nosocomial infections. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is studied as an alternative disinfectant for dry surfaces. Bacterial endospores including Clostridium difficile and vegetative bacteria including Enterococcus faecium are treated on carriers, considering European testing standards. CAP reduces the spore load (10(6) cfu) by at least 3 log10 as required, independent from the bioburden (<= 10 min treatments). Only a 2 log(10) reduction is achieved with vegetative bacteria due to multilayer formation resulting from a higher required load (10(8) cfu). However, densities <10(-7) cfu cm(-2) enable disinfection by CAP. Elemental mapping identified other influencing burden. Overall, this study demonstrates possibilities and limitations of CAP treatment for disinfecting purposes.