Microbiologia Médica e Diagnóstico

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: A New Therapeutic Option to Combat Infections

Abstract

Luciano Pereira Rosa and Francine Cristina da Silva

Minimization or elimination of antibiotic resistance in microbial species is an urgent need of the present times. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a new therapeutic option through which development of resistance in microorganisms can be avoided. Interest in the use of photodynamic therapy to combat microbial infection is not only linked to the fact that this technique prevents antibiotic resistance in microorganisms, but is also due to the broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect, selectivity, with little or no local or systemic side effects, to microorganisms, ease of application of the technique, among other beneficial features. In this review, the major aspects related to the use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with respect to the major photosensitizing dyes and light sources used in the therapy have been discussed. In addition, current applications, wherein the use of the technique has yielded successful results, have also been discussed along with the possibility of future applications of this new therapeutic option to combat infections.