Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald, Germany, have demonstrated the ability of cold physical plasma to inactivate adenoviruses in laboratory settings. The findings, recently reported by the institute, suggest a potential new avenue for disinfection, particularly against viruses that can survive for extended periods on surfaces.
Adenoviruses are a common cause of respiratory illnesses, including the common cold, as well as conjunctivitis (pinkeye). The study, conducted by a team led by Prof. Dr. Sander Bekeschus, revealed that the plasma doesn’t indiscriminately destroy the virus, but rather targets specific components of its outer shell – the part responsible for attaching to human cells.
“The plasma doesn’t act randomly,” explained Prof. Dr. Bekeschus, as reported by the INP. “It specifically alters certain components of the viral envelope, precisely where the virus normally docks onto human cells.” The researchers utilized a specialized argon plasma jet, a device also employed in the field of plasma medicine, for their experiments.
Detailed analysis showed that the plasma attacks specific protein building blocks within the viral envelope, crucial for maintaining its stability. Importantly, this inactivation doesn’t occur through heat or physical force, but through chemical reactions involving oxygen and nitrogen compounds present in the plasma.
96 Percent Reduction in Infectivity
According to Dr. Anke Schmidt, the study’s first author, the altered viral envelope prevents the virus from entering other cells. “Without this ability, the virus can no longer trigger an infection,” she stated. The research team found that after just 90 seconds of plasma treatment, infectivity in cell cultures was reduced by approximately 96 percent. The virus particles themselves changed shape and shrank in size by an average of 16 percent. Notably, the virus’s genetic material remained largely undamaged.
This preservation of the genetic material is a key finding, as it suggests a targeted mechanism of action that doesn’t simply obliterate the virus, but rather disables its ability to infect.
Potential Applications in Disinfection
The INP scientists believe these findings could pave the way for further development of plasma technology for disinfection purposes. Adenoviruses are known to survive for considerable periods on surfaces, making them a potential source of ongoing transmission. Plasma-based disinfection could be particularly useful in settings where thorough cleaning is essential, such as hospitals and laboratories.
However, the researchers emphasize that these results are derived from laboratory experiments. Before practical applications can be realized, further studies are needed, including investigations using infected lung tissue, to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment within a living organism. The current findings provide a promising foundation, but more research is necessary to translate this technology into real-world clinical use.
The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) is a leading research institution dedicated to plasma science and technology. According to its website, the INP is involved in a range of research activities, and its work is tracked by the Nature Index, which monitors affiliations of scientific articles from high-quality publications. The University of Greifswald is also involved in several collaborative research projects, funded by organizations including the DFG, the EU, and the German federal and state governments.
Recent research, published in Scientific Reports in January 2022, also supports the effectiveness of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-activated media (PAM) against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and PR8 H1N1. That study, conducted by researchers in Spain, demonstrated that CAP and PAM can effectively deliver reactive species that inactivate viruses.
While the INP study specifically focused on adenoviruses, the broader body of research on cold plasma suggests a potential for developing new strategies to combat a range of viral pathogens. The ongoing research in this field holds promise for improving infection control measures and protecting public health.
