Inactivation Effects of Plasma‐Activated Water on Fungal‐Bacterial Polymicrobial Biofilms of Candida albicans and Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mixed infections caused by fungal‐bacterial polymicrobial biofilms pose major clinical challenges, and plasma‐activated water (PAW) has potential for the treatment of infections. In this study, Candida albicans and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were used to establish fungal‐bacterial biofilms, and the inactivation effects of PAWs on the two microorganisms in biofilms were evaluated. The 30‐min PAW treatment reduced the viable C. albicans and MRSA within biofilms on silica films to below 2.00‐log 10 CFU/mL. The two consecutive 30‐min PAW treatments achieved significant reductions of approximately 3.32‐log 10 CFU/mL for C. albicans and 4.08‐log 10 CFU/mL for MRSA in biofilms on wound‐mimicking porcine skins. Therefore, owing to its non‐selective inactivation ability, PAW provides an alternative therapy for the mixed infections caused by diverse microorganisms.