Distal and lateral toenail onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum: treatment with photodynamic therapy based on methylene blue dye

An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Jan-Feb;89(1):184-6. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142197.

Abstract

The study showed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy based on methylene blue to treat severe distal and lateral subungual toenail onychomycosis. 22 patients were divided into two groups: group A consisting of 11 patients with severe toenail onychomycosis and group B consisting of 11 patients with mild-to-moderate toenail onychomycosis. All patients had onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. The patients were treated with sessions of 2% methylene blue aqueous solution irradiated with light emission diode device with 630 nm and 36 J/cm2 biweekly for six months. The clinical response was significantly better in patients with mild-to-moderate (100%) onychomycosis compared with patients with severe onychomycosis (63.6%).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Foot Dermatoses / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylene Blue / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Onychomycosis / drug therapy*
  • Onychomycosis / microbiology
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trichophyton

Substances

  • Methylene Blue