Avaliação do efeito da terapia fotodinâmica em biofilme de candida albicans

Abstract

Among the fungi, Candida spp is the predominant species in human microbiota being C. albicans the most common species. Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection caused by this pathogen. The conventional treatment for this infection are azole derivatives topical or systemic which, despite being well tolerated, can lead to various side effects such as: toxicity, besides the high cost of the drug and relapses are common after completion of treatment. These facts demonstrate the need for supporting new alternative treatment for this infection. The objective of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of C. albicans in biofilm form to photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is based on the use of a photosensitizer (PS) and a source of low intensity light with resonant wavelength and in the presence of oxygen. For this work, in vitro studies were carried out with thermally activated methacrylate polymer discs. The discs were used as a substrate for C. albicans ATCC 10321 biofilm growth. It was used FS Methylene blue at a concentration of 50 uM, irradiation was taken with a red LED (λ = 660 nm), and a protoporphyrin IX at a concentration of 10 uM, irradiated with a red LED (λ = 630 nm). The PDT associated with photosensitizer MB caused death of C. albicans biofilm and after 10 min of irradiation, we observed reduction about of 2 logs compared to the control group. In conclusion, the PDT can be considered as an adjuvant treatment for biolfime killing of Candida albicans.