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Updated: Sep 28, 2025
LED-Based In Vitro Screening for Assessing Photoactivable Molecules in Bacterial Photodynamic Inactivation
Published on: January 24, 2025
Photodynamic therapy for treatment of infected burns
Adenilson de Souza da Fonseca1, Flavia de Paoli2, Andre Luiz Mencalha3
1Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard Vinte e Oito de Setembro, 87, Fundos, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro 20551030, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Frei Caneca, 94, Rio de Janeiro 20211040, Brazil; Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Avenida Alberto Torres, 111, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro 25964004, Brazil.
Abstract:
Burns are among the most debilitating and devastating forms of trauma. Such injuries are influenced by infections, causing increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant infectious agents, efficient treatment of infections in burns is a challenging issue. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising approach to inactivate infectious agents, including multidrug-resistant. In this review, studies on PubMed were gathered, aiming to summarize the achievements regarding the applications of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for the treatment of infected burns. A literature search was carried out for aPDT published reports assessment on bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in burns. The collected data suggest that aPDT could be a promising new approach against multidrug-resistant infectious agents. However, despite important results being obtained against bacteria, experimental and clinical studies are necessary yet on the effectiveness of aPDT against fungal and viral infections in burns, which could reduce morbidity and mortality of burned patients, mainly those infected by multidrug-resistant strains.
Insights
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) shows promise for treating infections in burns, especially those caused by drug-resistant microbes. Further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness against fungal and viral burn infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Burn injuries are highly susceptible to infections, leading to severe complications.
- The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms complicates burn wound infection treatment.
- Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) offers a potential solution for combating these resistant infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the application of aPDT for treating infected burns.
- To assess the efficacy of aPDT against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in burn wounds.
- To identify gaps in knowledge and future research directions for aPDT in burn care.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed.
- Studies focusing on aPDT for burn infections were systematically gathered and analyzed.
- The review assessed reported outcomes for bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Main Results:
- aPDT demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic strategy against multidrug-resistant infectious agents in burns.
- Significant positive results were observed for aPDT in treating bacterial burn infections.
- Limited experimental and clinical data exist for aPDT's effectiveness against fungal and viral burn infections.
Conclusions:
- aPDT is a promising approach for managing multidrug-resistant infections in burn patients.
- Further clinical and experimental studies are essential to establish aPDT's efficacy for fungal and viral burn infections.
- Successful implementation of aPDT could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in burn patients.
