Photodynamic action of red light for treatment of erythrasma: preliminary results.
BACKGROUND
Erythrasma is a superficial cutaneous infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum and is characterized by fluorescence under Wood's light (UV) because of the presence of porphyrins. These molecules are photosensitizing and we propose to assess efficacy of red light that activates porphyrins (photodynamic reaction) in treatment of this pathology.


OBJECTIVE
Assessment of effects of photodynamic action of red light for treatment of erythrasma without exogenous photosensitizing molecules.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with erythrasma were treated by one illumination (80 J/cm2) by red light (broad band, peak at 635 nm) without exogenous photosensitizing molecules. Disappearance or reduction of extent of lesions were observed 2 weeks later. If lesions were still present, a second irradiation was conducted with the same method.


RESULTS
Preliminary results are presented. As a result of red light irradiation, we noticed a complete recovery for three patients and, in most other cases, reduction of extent of lesions (mean: -29% after one session). The treatment was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
We report first cases of photodynamic treatment of erythrasma. There are other reports of clinical applications of antimicrobial action of photodynamic therapy in dermatology (acne vulgaris, leishmaniasis, warts, etc.). But there are few applications without addition of exogenous photosensitizing agent. The originality and interest of our study is to use spontaneous presence of porphyrins in the lesions. This technique seems to be an interesting alternative, inexpensive and easy, for the treatment of this localized infection. But an optimal method is still to be determined to improve efficacy.
Darras-Vercambre
S
S
Clinique de Dermatologie, Hôpital Claude Huriez, CHRU, Lille Cedex, France.
Carpentier
O
O
Vincent
P
P
Bonnevalle
A
A
Thomas
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004894:Erythrasma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents