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Morphological and ultrastructural changes in fungal agents after LASER application
Fernanda A V Fernandes1, Denise C Arruda2, Gilglécia N P Santana1
1Departamento de Infectologia, ESCOLA PAULISTA DE MEDICINA, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
International Journal of Dermatology
|December 3, 2023
Summary
Laser therapy alters fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) by damaging fungal cells, reducing growth, and affecting reproductive structures. This innovative treatment shows promise for combating difficult-to-treat fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Onychomycosis presents a significant therapeutic challenge due to fungal resilience and limited effective treatments.
- Identifying causative fungal agents and exploring novel therapeutic modalities are crucial for managing this infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify fungal agents responsible for onychomycosis in immunocompetent individuals.
- To evaluate the impact of laser treatments on the growth and ultrastructure of isolated fungal pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Nail samples from 21 onychomycosis patients were analyzed via direct microscopic examination (DME), cultivation, and phenotypic identification.
- Twelve patients received laser treatment: Group 1 (Nd:YAG 1,064 nm) and Group 2 (Nd:YAG 1,064 nm + Er:YAG 2,940 nm + topical isoconazole).
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) assessed ultrastructural changes in fungi post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently identified fungal species.
- Laser therapy resulted in morphological alterations, including reduced hyphae, conidia, and reproductive structures.
- TEM revealed significant changes in fungal cell wall structure, cytoplasm density, and organelles.
Conclusions:
- Laser irradiation induces substantial changes in fungal cell morphology and viability.
- The treatment effectively inhibits fungal growth and reproduction, thereby reducing infectivity and virulence.
