Bactericidal effects of high-energy visible light on common otitis media pathogens

This study assessed the use of high-energy, visible light on the survival rates of three bacteria commonly found in middle ear infections (i.e. otitis media; Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae).

Bacteria were cultured and then subjected to a single, 4-h treatment of 405 nm wavelength light at two different intensities. All three bacteria species were susceptible to the light at clinically significant rates (>99.9% reduction). Bacteria were susceptible to the high-energy visible (HEV) light in a dose-dependent manner (lower survival rates with increased intensity and duration of exposure).

The results suggest that HEV light may provide a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach to the therapeutic treatment of otitis media.

Given the growing concerns surrounding antibiotic resistance, this study demonstrates a rapid, alternative method for effective inactivation of bacterial pathogens partly responsible for instances of otitis media.