Using photodynamic therapy to treat sporotrichosis with curcumin as photosensitizer

• Grant number: 19/23701-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Grantee: Amanda Regina Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic mycosis caused by the fungi of the Sporothrix complex that lives in soil and surface of vegetables. It is inoculated into the hosts from skin wounds and the domestic cat is the main source of transmission of the disease. Nowadays, the treatment has a long duration and the available drugs offer risks of intoxication and many side effects to the pacients, and, since it has been used in a indiscriminated way, many resistant fungal isolates have been emerging. So as to overcome these problems, it is necessary to develop quick and efficient alternatives for elimination of the microorganism that causes the sporotrichosis. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative therapeutic that involves the action of a molecular oxygen, a photosensitizer and light in a specific wavelength producing cytotoxic effects that can inactivate the microorganisms. The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of inactivation of Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix brasiliensis in in vitro tests with PDT using curcumin as a photosensitizer and national technology. After determining the growth curve for 106 a 107 CFU/mL of Sporothrix spp., the treatment with PDT will be performed with curcumin and the Biotable as light source emitting at 450 nm and 35 mW / cm² of irradiance. To evaluate the results and determine the best protocol for treatment, the colonies will be counted for CFU/mL and analyzed with confocal microscopy. Then, the results obtained will be compared to the results obtained with Candida albicans.