Catalase Deactivation Increases Dermatophyte Sensitivity to ROS Sources

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Photobiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Dermatophytes cause widespread fungal skin infections globally.
• Antifungal misuse has led to the emergence of resistant strains, such as *Trichophyton indotineae*.
• There is an urgent need for alternative treatments against resistant dermatophytes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of blue light as a non-drug therapeutic for dermatophyte infections.
• To determine if blue light can inactivate catalase in dermatophytes.
• To assess the impact of blue light-induced catalase inactivation on fungal susceptibility and growth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 405 nm LED to treat susceptible and resistant dermatophyte strains.
• Measured changes in catalase activity and fungal sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Assessed the effect of blue light on hyphal formation, polarized growth, and biomass.

Main Results:

• Blue light effectively inactivated catalase in various dermatophyte strains.
• Light-treated dermatophytes showed increased sensitivity to ROS-producing agents like H2O2 and amphotericin B.
• Blue light treatment inhibited dermatophyte hyphal development and suppressed biomass formation.

Conclusions:

• Blue light-induced catalase inactivation is a promising strategy for managing dermatophyte infections.
• This method enhances the efficacy of existing antimicrobial agents by increasing ROS sensitivity.
• Catalase-deactivating blue light offers a potential non-invasive, non-drug-reliant treatment option, complementing current therapies.