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Updated: May 4, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Cutaneous sporotrichosis treated with photodynamic therapy: an in vitro and in vivo study
Yolanda Gilaberte1, Carmen Aspiroz, M Carmen Alejandre
11 Unit of Dermatology, Hospital San Jorge , Huesca, Spain .
Background:
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii complex, usually restricted to the skin, subcutaneous cellular tissue, and adjacent lymphatic vessels. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) could be a good alternative to manage localized, superficial infections.
Case Report:
A 65-year-old African woman was diagnosed with a fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis on her left arm, treated with itraconazol and oral terbinafine with partial improvement. Topical 16% methyl aminolevulinate (MAL, Metvix(®))-PDT was used without success.
Methods:
An in vitro photoinactivation test with the isolated microorganism revealed phenothiazinium salts to be more effective than MAL.
Conclusions:
PDT with intralesional 1% methylene blue (MB) in combination with intermittent low doses of itraconazole obtained complete microbiological and clinical response.
