Adjunctive methylene blue antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for mucocutaneous lesions of mycoses: three case reports

Future Microbiol. 2023 Nov:18:1017-1024. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0074. Epub 2023 Sep 13.

Abstract

Dermatophytosis, paracoccidioidomycosis and sporotrichosis are mycoses caused by different fungal species with significant prevalence in Brazil and other countries. In some situations, they affect quality of life, especially in the most vulnerable populations. Antifungal drug therapy is the conventional treatment for these diseases, although some difficulties may occur. Adjunctive use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) may reduce these challenges. Three patients were treated with aPDT and conventional antifungals. In all cases, the patients did not report pain, discomfort or side effects during or after the aPDT intervention. The adjunctive use of aPDT in the cases presented proved to be a safe, low-cost tool that may be promising for the treatment of different mycoses.

Keywords: antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; dermatophytosis; mucocutaneous lesions; mycoses; paracoccidioidomycosis; sporotrichosis.

Plain language summary

Some fungal diseases are very common in Brazil and other countries and, in some cases, treatment may be difficult. The combination of a type of laser may help the treatment of these diseases. Here, three cases of fungal diseases that were treated with laser, dye and conventional antifungals are presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methylene Blue / therapeutic use
  • Mycoses* / drug therapy
  • Mycoses* / microbiology
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Methylene Blue
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents