Cold plasma treatment is safe for diabetic foot ulcers and decreases Staphylococcus aureus bacterial load

Aim: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has antimicrobial properties. We studied the safety of a novel CAP device (PLASOMA prototype; Plasmacure, The Netherlands) that is simple to use and could be applied at a patient's home for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Secondary objectives were to investigate the effect of CAP on bacterial load and on ulcer size. Method: We included subjects with non-infected, superficial DFUs and treated them with CAP on a daily basis for 10 days. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of serious adverse device effects (SADE). We defined safety as: =10% of patients experiencing a SADE other than infection (non-infectious SADE), and <= 60% of patients developing infection of the foot (infectious serious adverse event (SAE)). Results: We enrolled 20 patients. No SADE occurred, but three infectious SAEs occurred at the site of application within one month of treatment; three SAEs unrelated to treatment occurred, and 55% of subjects reported transient mild adverse device effects. Staphylococcus aureus bacterial load decreased directly after CAP application (p=0.01). The mean decrease of ulcer surface area was 43% (95% confidence interval: 20.2%-65.9%). Conclusion: CAP treatment in DFUs was safe and well tolerated. Ulcer size and Staphylococcus aureus colonisation decreased during treatment. Declaration of interest: This study was funded by the Dutch Diabetes Research Foundation grant number 2014.11.1708. The study sponsor/funder was not involved in the design of the study; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing the report; and did not impose any restrictions regarding the publication of the report. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of a novel cold atmospheric plasma device for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The results showed that there were no serious adverse device effects, but three infectious serious adverse events occurred. Moreover, the device was effective in reducing Staphylococcus aureus bacterial load and decreasing ulcer size.