Characterizing the Antimicrobial Properties of 405 nm Light and the Corning® Light-Diffusing Fiber Delivery System

Area of Science:

• Photomedicine
• Antimicrobial therapies
• Medical device development

Background:

• Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and multidrug-resistant bacteria are critical threats to healthcare.
• Novel antimicrobial strategies are needed due to limited new antibiotic approvals.
• Violet-blue visible light (400-470 nm) shows antimicrobial effects against pathogens, including ESKAPE bacteria, but efficient light delivery is a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antimicrobial properties of flexible light-diffusing fiber (LDF) using 405 nm violet-blue light.
• To evaluate LDF's efficacy against ESKAPE pathogens in various growth states and biological contexts.

Main Methods:

• Tested LDF delivery of 405 nm light against ESKAPE pathogens.
• Bacteria were cultured on agar, in liquid, and on abiotic surfaces.
• Evaluated light effects in the presence of lung surfactant, human serum, and on eukaryotic cells.

Main Results:

• 405 nm violet-blue light delivered via LDF demonstrated significant microbicidal activity.
• Efficacy was observed against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli.
• Antimicrobial effects were consistent across diverse experimental conditions and biological materials.

Conclusions:

• Flexible LDF is a promising non-traditional approach for HAI prevention and treatment.
• This technology offers a novel phototherapeutic solution for combating challenging bacterial pathogens.