Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as a new approach for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis: preliminary results

Author(s)

Simoes Onofre de Santi, Maria Eugenia ^[1] ; Prates, Renato Araujo ^[1] ; Franca, Cristiane Miranda ^[1] ; Lopes, Rubia Garcia ^[1] ; Sousa, Aline Silva ^[1] ; Ferreira, Luis Rodolfo ^[1] ; Bussadori, Sandra Kalil ^[1] ; Fernandes, Adjaci Uchoa ^[2] ; Deana, Alessandro Melo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Biophoton Appl Hlth Sci, Brazil Rua Vergueiro 235-249, BR-01504001 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Anhembi Morumbi, R Dr Almeida Lima 1134, Parque Mooca, BR-03164000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Lasers in Medical Science; v. 33, n. 9, p. 1925-1931, DEC 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

In this work, we present the efficacy of photodynamic therapy against yeast cells in an animal model. We tested two photosensitizers, methylene blue and protoporphyrin IX. Thirty-seven female BALB-c mice with a body mass of 20-25g were used. To achieve persistent vaginitis, estrus was induced by subcutaneous injection of 0.1mg/mL estradiol valerate applied weekly. Three days after pseudo-estrus, intravaginal inoculation with Candida albicans was performed. Mice were anesthetized with ketamine (80mg/kg) and xylazine (10mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection before inoculation, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was performed 5days after fungal inoculation. Two photosensitizers were tested, methylene blue (MB; 100M) and protoporphyrin IX (PpNetNI; 10M). Two custom-made LEDs emitting light at 660 and 630nm at approximately 800mW each were used for irradiation. The aPDT treatment reduced the fungal colony-forming units (CFUs) by one order of magnitude for the MB (p=0.020) and PpNetNI (p=0.018) photosensitizers. Seven days after the treatment, there were significantly fewer CFUs compared to the control group (p=0.041 and p=0.035 for MB and PpNetNI, respectively), but this was not increased compared to the initial number immediately after aPDT. Using aPDT as a therapeutic option to decrease fungal infection in a vaginal candidiasis model resulted in a significant reduction in the C. albicans population. Both photosensitizers were effective for preventing reinfection within 7days. The aPDT also had no effect on the vaginal mucosa at the ultrastructural level. In addition to the fungicide effect, we observed reduced swelling and lack of the formation of abscesses, microabscesses coating the cornified epithelial layer, and the accumulation of neutrophils in the submucosa. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/57721-3 - Redoxome
• Grantee: Ohara Augusto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants