title: Effect of Twice-Daily Blue Light Treatment on Matrix-Rich Biofilm Development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of blue light has been proposed as a direct means of affecting local bacterial infections, however the use of blue light without a photosensitizer to prevent the biofilm development has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to determine how the twice-daily treatment with blue light affects the development and composition of a matrix-rich biofilm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans UA159 were formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs for 5 days. The biofilms were exposed twice-daily to non-coherent blue light (LumaCare; 420 nm) without a photosensitizer. The distance between the light and the sample was 1.0 cm; energy density of 72 J cm-2; and exposure time of 12 min 56 s. Positive and negative controls were twice-daily 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) and 0.89% NaCl, respectively. Biofilms were analyzed for bacterial viability, dry-weight, and extra (EPS-insoluble and soluble) and intracellular (IPS) polysaccharides. Variable pressure scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy were used to check biofilm morphology and bacterial viability, respectively. When biofilms were exposed to twice-daily blue light, EPS-insoluble was reduced significantly more than in either control group (CHX and 0.89% NaCl). Bacterial viability and dry weight were also reduced relative to the negative control (0.89% NaCl) when the biofilms were treated with twice-daily blue light. Different morphology was also visible when the biofilms were treated with blue light.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twice-daily treatment with blue light without a photosensitizer is a promising mechanism for the inhibition of matrix-rich biofilm development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise Lins
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ramille Araújo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Iriana Carla
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Zanin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, State University of São Paulo, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marlise I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, College of Dentistry, New York University, NYU, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Malvin N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Janal
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002710:Chlorhexidine