Comparative analysis of bacterial resistance induced via antimicrobial cycles and photodynamic therapy

• Grant number: 15/20370-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Carla Raquel Fontana
• Grantee: Ana Lígia Blanco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality based on the administration of a non-toxic photosensitizing agent with subsequent light irradiation in a specific wavelength causing the death of the target cells via oxidative damage. Due to the multiple and nonspecific nature of death caused by PDT, the development of resistance by the bacterial cells is unlikely. Recently The World Health Organization has warned that "the post-antibiotic" is an increasingly serious threat to global public health. Although bacterial resistance continues to emerge, the development of new antibiotics rate decreased over the past three decades. Acquired resistances to PDT, although it is thought unlikely, have been investigated, but studies of bacterial resistance to this therapy are still limited and controversial. In this way, the investigation of its real potential to induce bacterial resistance becomes crucial. In this project, we propose to evaluate the potential of consecutive cycles subinibitory doses of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to induce resistance in bacterial strains and compare this action with consecutive cycles of antibiotic therapy in the same strains.