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Published on: January 1, 2016
Killing of Streptococcus sanguis in biofilms using a light-activated antimicrobial agent
1Department of Microbiology, Eastman Dental Institute of Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London, UK.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine whether Streptococcus sanguis, when in a biofilm, could be killed using a light-activated antimicrobial agent. Biofilms were grown on hydroxyapatite, irradiated with up to 12.2 J of light from a gallium aluminium arsenide laser in the presence of aluminium disulphonated phthalocyanine (AlPcS2) and survivors enumerated. No significant decrease in the viable count was found when either the AlPcS2 or the laser light was used alone. There was a light dose related decrease in the viable counts of irradiated AlPcS2-treated biofilms. No viable streptococci were detectable following irradiation with 12.2 J of laser light.
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