PLASMO®VET and Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol. A Case Report on Equine Dermatophytosis in Context.
Fungal skin infections are among the most common infectious skin diseases in horses and other animals. They are contagious, often protracted to treat and can have considerable economic and hygienic consequences. Diagnosis and treatment are the responsibility of the veterinarian and depend on the pathogen, the extent of the infection and the animal species.
PLASMO®VET is a device that generates Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol (CAP-A). It is aimed at veterinary clinics, veterinarians and therapists in the veterinary field. In 2025, a case report was published describing the use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol in a single horse with dermatophytosis. This article explains what dermatophytosis and Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol are, and places the case report and the laboratory evidence in their scientific context.
What is dermatophytosis and what is Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol?
Dermatophytoses ("ringworm") are superficial fungal infections of the skin, the hair and, in some cases, the claws or hooves. They are predominantly caused by dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum. The disease occurs in numerous animal species and is highly significant because it can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis). In horse populations in particular, dermatophytoses can spread on a regular basis.
Typical symptoms include:
- Circular hairless areas of skin
- Scaling
- Crusts
- Itching
- Inflammation of the skin
Cold plasma (Cold Atmospheric Plasma, CAP) is a partially ionised gas at room temperature. Among other things, it contains Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), electric fields and UV components at very low intensity. PLASMO®VET does not generate these physical components as a plasma jet. In a first step it generates cold plasma, and in a second step it combines cold plasma and aerosol: Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol (CAP-A). This is created when the ROS from the plasma condition a fine aerosol. As an aerosol, it can also wet irregularly shaped skin surfaces. Technically, this distinguishes the method from plasma jet procedures. PLASMO®VET is not a medicinal product and not an antifungal agent.
Evidence: one case report and laboratory studies.
Case report (single observation): In 2025, Frontiers in Veterinary Science published a case report on a single horse with extensive, chronic dermatophytosis in which Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol was applied with PLASMO®VET. The authors document the clinical course of this one animal. [1]
Possible side effects, contraindications and warnings are listed in the instructions for use and must be observed before every application.
The scientific context matters: this is an observation in a single animal without a control group (case report). A case report of this kind cannot be generalised; no conclusions about efficacy or tolerability in other animals can be drawn from it. Laboratory and review studies on cold plasma also investigate effects on fungi, mostly in vitro and in fungal species other than dermatophytes. They describe, among other things, damage to cell membranes and cell walls caused by Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species and oxidative changes to proteins and nucleic acids, for example in moulds and mycotoxin-producing species. [2] [3] No clinical conclusions can be drawn from these laboratory findings.
Context.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol is a physical method that is being scientifically investigated in veterinary medicine. The current data on dermatophytosis consist of laboratory studies and a single published case report; robust conclusions require further controlled studies. PLASMO®VET is aimed at veterinary clinics, veterinarians and therapists. Whether it is used in an individual case is decided by the treating veterinarian.
The intended purpose and application of a specific product are set out exclusively in its instructions for use. Human and veterinary therapies are to be decided independently of this article, in consultation with the responsible medical professionals. This article does not constitute a healing or therapeutic claim. The findings mentioned come from the cited publications and cannot be transferred to other animals or application settings. This overview page on current research into Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol (CAP-A) is provided for information purposes only and explains independent scientific findings.
[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1651946/full
Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1502915/full
Application of cold atmospheric plasma for decontamination of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins – A systematic review. Frontiers in Microbiology.
[3] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326940
Cold atmospheric plasma improves antifungal responsiveness of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum. PLOS ONE.
