title: [Photodynamic therapy for onychomycosis. case report and review of the literature].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent fungal infections in the population with a higher rate of treatment failures. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the use of photosensitizers with light of an accurate wavelength, and in the presence of oxygen, reactive oxygen species are produced which induce cell death. PDT is widely used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer, and other indications are being investigated, especially in superficial infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of PDT in a case of onychomycosis caused by moulds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed with onychomycosis caused by Acremonium sclerotigenum in the 5th finger. She was treated with 3 sessions of PDT with methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) separated by 15 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient achieved mycological and clinical cure and remains asymptomatic after 12 months of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case illustrates the potential usefulness of MAL-PDT for onychomycosis. Its effectiveness, lack of adverse effects and satisfaction on the part of physicians and patients, suggest a promising future for this therapy in the management of superficial fungal infections, such as onychomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Microbiología, Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, España. carmenaspiroz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aspiroz
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fortuño Cebamanos
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezusta
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paz-Cristóbal
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Luzón
authors.forename: Josepa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gené Díaz
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gilaberte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid