Dr. Endre Szili, physicist, University of South Australia

Newswise — A new formula developed by scientists from the University of South Australia is used to treat antimicrobial bacterial infections in diabetic foot ulcers, and it can also be used to kill the COVID-19 virus spread in air conditioning systems.

Australian and British scientists stated in a paper published in Applied Physics Letters that using peracetic acid to enhance cold plasma ionization gas can eradicate bacteria in wounds and significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load.

In an experiment to find effective treatments for diabetic foot ulcers, Dr. Endre Szili, a physicist from the University of South Australia, collaborated with Professor Rob Short of Lancaster University and British colleagues from the University of Bath, GAMA Healthcare and AGA Nanotech. An unexpected discovery was made.

"By combining cold plasma gas with acetyl donor molecules to improve its oxidation, we found that it can completely kill bacteria found in chronic wounds," said lead researcher Dr. Szili.

"Then we investigated whether the same technology can effectively kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and it seems to be the case.

"We show that based on a standard dose that is safe for human cells, using plasma combined with acetyl donor molecules, we can reduce the viral load by 84%. However, with some modifications, we are likely to completely eradicate it."

The proprietary acetyl donor technology is owned by AGA Nanotech, a technology company headquartered in the United Kingdom focused on overcoming the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This solution has not been tested on variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Dr. Szili said that the technology can be used to disinfect the surfaces of hospitals and other buildings, as well as disinfection through air conditioning systems.

For diabetic patients, these findings are also significant, and are expected to end the chronic foot wounds that affect approximately 15% of the 415 million diabetic patients worldwide.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic health condition in the world, costing nearly 700 billion U.S. dollars each year.

"Foot ulcers are a huge problem for diabetic patients. Antibiotics are usually the first-line treatment, but bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics and we need a new solution," said Dr. Szili.

Cold plasma can usually effectively target free-swimming bacteria, but when enough bacteria colonize the wound and form a biofilm, they are more resistant to treatment. Combining plasma with acetyl donor molecules (ADM) produces hydrogen peroxide and releases peracetic acid, thereby killing drug-resistant bacteria through a multi-pronged action.

Researchers compared treatment options for two different types of bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes infections in the blood, lungs and other parts of the body after surgery; and Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as "Staphylococcus aureus." , Can cause blood poisoning and pneumonia, and may be fatal.

The technique of using plasma without ADM killed the first bacteria, but had little effect on Staphylococcus aureus. The combination therapy eliminated these two bacteria.

"This is of great significance for diabetic patients whose foot ulcers are difficult to heal."

Dr. Szili said that this formula can be made into creams or gels, aerosols or wound dressings. The latter option is currently being tested by Professor Rob Fitridge, a vascular surgeon at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"We urgently need an antibiotic-free solution to solve the global escalation of antimicrobial resistance, and we believe that we have taken an important first step with this new strategy," said Dr. Szili.

According to a 2016 report issued by the Wellcome Collection and the British government, it is estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million deaths each year and cause a potential impact of 100 trillion US dollars on the global economy.

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