Design and Medical Effects of a Vaginal Cleaning Device Generating Plasma-Activated Water with Antimicrobial Activity on Bacterial Vaginosis

Yuan Hwang,Joong Sub Choi,Yongwoo Jang,Hyung Kyu Kim,Dong Keun Ahn,Hyanghee Jeon,Geon Yeoung Wang,Jun-Hyun Kim

doi:10.3390/plasma3040016

Yuan Hwang, Joong Sub Choi + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma3040016

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Journal: Plasma	Publication Date: Nov 17, 2020
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Hanyang University, Sungkyunkwan University

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis is a common female disease caused by a vaginal infection due to an overgrowth of bacteria that naturally live in the vaginal tract. Bacterial vaginosis has frequently been treated with the oral or vaginal administration of antibiotics and topical disinfectants. However, hygienic application of topical treatment deep in the vagina remains difficult. Herein, we introduce a novel vaginal cleaning device using plasma-activated water generated from supplied water. Remarkably, plasma source generation at atmospheric pressure is well known to eradicate bacterial infection through the generation of free radicals and/or chlorine chemicals with antimicrobial activity. The device was designed to alleviate a bacterial infection by spraying plasma-activated water generated from a cleaning solution container with plasma modules. The spray nozzle contains both a clean outlet and a suction outlet to spray and recover the plasma water, respectively, and is connected to a disposable silicone tube. The other nozzle, which has a laser light and air pump, can perform a second sterilization and dry the vagina after washing. Free chlorine chemicals with antibacterial activity were detected in the plasma-activated water by the device. Clinical application in patients with bacterial vaginosis confirmed the stability and effectiveness of our device. Therefore, these results show a novel clinical application of atmospheric pressure plasma to medical field as a plasma medicine.

Highlights

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common form of vaginitis, which is an inflammation of the vagina [1,2]
The following patients were excluded: (1) those who had been treated for vaginitis within four weeks prior to the screening visit; (2) those who required medication immediately after the examiner judged that the quality of life of the patient was significantly reduced due to vaginitis accompanied by severe seizures, itching, etc.; (3) those suspected of having adnexitis, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammation; (4) those who had taken antibiotics or anti-viral drugs during the clinical test; (5) those who had an intrauterine device; and (6) pregnant or breastfeeding women
The gram-positive test and bacterial culture test were examined from vaginal secretion of clinical trial participants with vaginitis (44 patients) at the first visit (VISIT 1)

Summary

Introduction

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common form of vaginitis, which is an inflammation of the vagina [1,2]. Because women’s genitals are located close to the urethra and anus, they are invaded by pathogens, and the warm, humid, and acidic environment facilitates bacterial growth. Vaginitis is the most common gynecological disease encountered by obstetricians, and in the United. Approximately 10 million patients visit obstetrics and gynecology clinics every year [3]. The symptoms of vaginitis include vaginal secretions, vaginal odor, fever, malnourishment, sexual discomfort and urinary pain [1]. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by unbalanced changes in the vaginal microbiome rather than infections by external bacteria [4]. Anaerobic bacteria, which usually account for less than 1% of the total bacterial population, excessively multiply, and mixed bacterial groups increase more than the total number of bacteria [5,6]

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Conclusion