Sanitization of Contaminated Footwear from Onychomycosis Patients Using Ozone Gas: A Novel Adjunct Therapy for Treating Onychomycosis and Tinea Pedis?

Abstract

Background: Ozone gas possesses antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and yeasts. Previously, we demonstrated the efficacy of ozone in killing ATCC strains of the dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Objective: To test the efficacy of ozone gas in sanitizing onychomycosis patient footwear contaminated with fungal material as a means of minimizing the risk of reinfection. Methods: Swabs of footwear from onychomycosis patients were cultured prior to and after ozone exposure to test the ability of ozone to sanitize these items. Results: We identified contamination of footwear from most onychomycosis patients, a potential source of reinfection in these individuals. Furthermore, ozone gas was effective in sanitizing contaminated footwear. Conclusion: Ozone gas is effective in sanitizing footwear and represents a novel adjunct therapy to be used in conjunction with antifungal medications and/or devices to better treat onychomycosis and tinea pedis patients in both the short and the long term.