Microplasma Jet Arrays as a Therapeutic Choice for Fungal Keratitis

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 5;8(1):2422. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20854-8.

Abstract

The clinical impact of microplasma jets on rabbit eyes infected by Candida albicans has been investigated. Arrays of such jets produce low-temperature plasma micro-columns suitable for ophthalmic therapeutics and fungal infections, in particular, and the technology is capable of being scaled to surface areas of at least 10 cm2. Keratitis was induced in the right central corneas of rabbits, whereas the left eyes served as a normal group. The rabbits were divided into the plasma non-treated group (control) and plasma treatment group. Histologic analyses of both groups showed marked reductions in the thickness, angiogenesis, and opacity of all rabbit corneas following plasma treatment. Indeed, for treatment times beyond 14 days, infected eyes exhibited no significant differences from the normal group. Healing of rabbit eyes infected by Candida albicans apparently proceeds by disrupting corneal epithelial proliferation, and by reducing fibrotic changes in the stroma. This study demonstrates that low-temperature plasma jets are remarkably effective in healing Candida albicans-infected corneas, thereby providing a promising medical treatment option for keratitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Cornea / blood supply
  • Cornea / drug effects
  • Cornea / microbiology
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Corneal Neovascularization / microbiology
  • Corneal Neovascularization / pathology
  • Corneal Neovascularization / therapy*
  • Corneal Opacity / microbiology
  • Corneal Opacity / pathology
  • Corneal Opacity / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / microbiology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / pathology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / therapy*
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Keratitis / pathology
  • Keratitis / therapy*
  • Male
  • Plasma Gases / therapeutic use*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Plasma Gases