In vitro reduction of pathogenic sporothrix schenckii fungus by photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a disease that affects the lymph vessels, skin and some internal organs. Most cases are presented as a subacute chronic mycosis caused by the Sporothrix schenckii fungus; fairly common in tropical regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of Sporothrix schenckii yeast cells to the effects of photodynamic inactivation. For this, the viable cells were separated into four groups: irradiated with photosensitizer group (L+F+); irradiated without photosensitizer group (L+F-), without irradiation and with photosensitizer group (L-F+); and without irradiation and without photosensitizer group (L-F-). The methylene blue photosensitizer concentration used was 0.1 mg/mL, and the Aluminum Gallium Arsenide laser dose was 26.3 J/cm2. Then, counting of colony forming units (CFUs) was performed in each group. The main result was that the irradiated group with photosensitizer (L+F+) was the one that showed no growth of CFUs. Thus, it was concluded that Sporothrix schenckii can be inactivated by use of photodynamic therapy.