title: A study of the treatment of cutaneous fungal infection in animal model using photoactivated composite of methylene blue and gold nanoparticle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Onychomycosis is a widespread public health problem, in which T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes is the commenest causative organisms. Current medical therapy has many drawbacks and side effects. Methylene blue (m.b) photodynamic therapy (pdt) proved efficacy but with lengthy sessions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Optimizing methylene blue photodynamic therapy by combination of methylene blue photosensitizer and gold nanoparticles (aunps) in a composite as gold nanoparticles are efficient delivery systems and efficient enhancers of photosensitizers for antifungal photodynamic therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty newzealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used and categorized in eight equal groups as follows; healthy and infection control, composite photodynamic therapy and five comparative groups. Photodynamic therapy was initiated at day three to five post inoculation, for four sessions forty eight hours apart. Each group divided and light exposure at two fluencies; 80J and 100J. All groups were investigated macroscopically and microscopically (histopathology and scanning electron microscope) also flowcytometry assessment for cell death and X-ray analysis for gold nanoparticles accumulation in brain and liver tissues were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recovery from infection approaching 96% in gold nanoparticles+light group, around 40% in methylene blue photodynamic therapy and 34% in composite photodynamic therapy. The observed findings confirmed by apparent decrease of apoptosis, however small amounts of gold nanoparticles detected in brain and liver.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Light stimulated gold nanoparticles is a promising tool in treatment of onychomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Applications of Lasers (MAL), National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences (N.I.L.E.S.), Cairo University, Giza 12316, Egypt. Electronic address: dr.abeertawfik@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abeer Attia
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tawfik
authors.affiliation: Mansoura University Student Hospital, Egypt.
authors.forename: Islam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Noaman
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Elsayyad
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Noha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Mashad
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Applications of Lasers (MAL), National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences (N.I.L.E.S.), Cairo University, Giza 12316, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soliman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D006046:Gold; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: Gold nanoparticles; Methylene blue photodynamic therapy; Onychomycosis