Abstract
Multiresistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause serious postoperative infections. A skin tolerant far-UVC (< 240 nm) irradiation system for their inactivation is presented here. It uses UVC LEDs in combination with a spectral filter and provides a peak wavelength of 233 nm, with a full width at half maximum of 12 nm, and an irradiance of 44 µW/cm2. MRSA bacteria in different concentrations on blood agar plates were inactivated with irradiation doses in the range of 15–40 mJ/cm2. Porcine skin irradiated with a dose of 40 mJ/cm2 at 233 nm showed only 3.7% CPD and 2.3% 6-4PP DNA damage. Corresponding irradiation at 254 nm caused 11–14 times higher damage. Thus, the skin damage caused by the disinfectant doses is so small that it can be expected to be compensated by the skin's natural repair mechanisms. LED-based far-UVC lamps could therefore soon be used in everyday clinical practice to eradicate multiresistant pathogens directly on humans.
Highlights
Multiresistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause serious postoperative infections
The suitability of the irradiation system for in vivo antisepsis applications is demonstrated by the successful inactivation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the proof that the radiation causes hardly any damage to porcine skin
The key components of the irradiation system are far-UVC LEDs, based on AlGaN semiconductor heterostructures grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on sapphire substrates
Summary
Multiresistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause serious postoperative infections. The current worldwide pandemic with the SARS-CoV-2 virus calls for a method to eradicate viruses efficiently and sustainably This is preferably achieved by a physical method that non-selectively and irreversibly inactivates all microorganisms so that no resistance can be developed. Far-UVC radiation is mainly absorbed in the uppermost, non-living cornified layer of the skin and potentially causes little damage to the living cells underneath, as previously shown in m ice[19] This gives rise to the vision of antisepsis of skin surfaces by direct UVC irradiation without serious damage to health. The suitability of the irradiation system for in vivo antisepsis applications is demonstrated by the successful inactivation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the proof that the radiation causes hardly any damage to porcine skin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
