title: Comparative study between photodynamic and antibiotic therapies for treatment of footpad dermatitis (bumblefoot) in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bumblefoot, referring to bed-sore-like foot lesions, is one of the most important clinical complications in captive birds and has a multifactorial etiology. Photodynamic therapy has been proposed as an alternative treatment for localized infections in response to the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in a group of captive Spheniscus magellanicus with bumblefoot lesions treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) or antibiotics (ATB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten captive Magellanic penguins with preexisting stage III bumblefoot lesions were selected and randomly divided into one PDT and one ATB group, each including 11 pelvic-limb lesions. All animals underwent surgical debridement of lesions. In the ATB group, antibiotic ointment was applied topically three times a week, and systemic antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs were administered daily. In the PDT group, photodynamic therapy was applied three times a week without the use of topical or systemic medication. Lesion areas were photographed, and swabs were collected for culture and sensitivity, on the first day and every 14 days for a total of 84 days. The four species of bacteria showing the most resistance to the antibiotics screened on the antibiogram were used to determine resistance to PDT with an in vitro test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in healing rate and average healing time between the PDT and ATB groups (63.62% vs. 9.09% and 42 vs. 70 days, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study attest to the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of stage III bumblefoot in Spheniscus magellanicus.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Unit of Santos Aquarium, Santos Aquarium, Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmão S/N, Ponta da Praia, Santos 11035-500, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: cristianelassalvia@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristiane Lassálvia
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Center for Lasers and Applications, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Av. Lineu Prestes 2242, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: marthasr@usp.br.
authors.forename: Martha Simões
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science School, University of São Paulo (FMVZ/USP), Av. Prof. Orlando Marquês Paiva, 87, Butantã, São Paulo 13635-900, Brazil. Electronic address: fsellera@usp.br.
authors.forename: Fábio Parra
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Sellera
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Unit of Santos Aquarium, Santos Aquarium, Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmão S/N, Ponta da Praia, Santos 11035-500, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: dutra@kingnet.com.br.
authors.forename: Gustavo Henrique Pereira
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Dutra
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oral Biology, Department of Biomaterials and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2227, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil. Electronic address: lysimoes@usp.br.
authors.forename: Alyne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n Caixa Postal 560, Botucatu 18618-000, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: teixeiracr@fmvz.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D046429:Spheniscidae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: Bed sore; Captivity; Photodynamic inactivation; Pododermatitis; Rehabilitation