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Ultraviolet C inactivation of dermatophytes: implications for treatment of onychomycosis

T Dai1, G P Tegos, G Rolz-Cruz

  • 1Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

The British Journal of Dermatology
|April 16, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) C radiation effectively inactivates dermatophytes in vitro and in ex vivo nail models. This study suggests UV C may offer a less invasive treatment for onychomycosis, pending safety evaluations.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Microbiology
  • Photobiology

Background:

  • Onychomycosis treatment options include systemic antifungals and topical lacquers.
  • Alternative therapies for nail fungus are needed.
  • Topical germicidal ultraviolet (UV) C radiation presents a potential alternative treatment for onychomycosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of UV C in inactivating dermatophyte suspensions in vitro.
  • To assess the sterilizing potential of UV C on an ex vivo nail infection model.

Main Methods:

  • Dermatophyte suspensions (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis) were exposed to UV C (254 nm) at 120 mJ cm(-2).
  • Colony-forming units were quantified post-irradiation.
  • UV C irradiation (36-864 J cm(-2)) was applied to T. rubrum in ex vivo porcine hoof and human toenail models.

Main Results:

  • UV C at 120 mJ cm(-2) achieved 3-5 log cell inactivation in dermatophyte suspensions.
  • Complete sterilization of ex vivo models required tens to hundreds of J cm(-2) UV C, varying with culture thickness and load.
  • No increased resistance to UV C was observed in T. rubrum after repeated subtotal inactivation cycles.

Conclusions:

  • UV C irradiation demonstrates significant antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes.
  • UV C shows promise as a less invasive therapeutic option for onychomycosis.
  • Further safety considerations are necessary for clinical application of UV C therapy.

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