Inactivation of multidrug-resistant pathogens and Yersinia enterocolitica with cold atmospheric-pressure plasma on stainless-steel surfaces

•Impact of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) on five multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and Yersinia enterocolitica.•Y. enterocolitica and MDR pathogens were inactivated by CAP in a time-dependent manner.•Different response of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria to CAP was observed.•Fluorescence microscopy showed a high amount of sublethally damaged bacterial cells.•CAP could be a suitable alternative sterilisation method for heat-sensitive devices and surfaces.