Analysis of the action of the photosensitizer MCHC-Chlorin by photodynamic therapy on the fungus Candida albicans ATCC 60196

Objective To verify the in vitro photodynamic action on Candida albicans yeasts using the photosensitizer MCHC-Chlorin. Method C. albicans ATCC 60196 strains were reactivated and fungal inoculum was prepared according to the MacFarland scale 0.5. Serial dilutions were made up to 10 −3 mL in 0.5% saline solution. Afterwards, the inoculum was cultivated in chlorin-derived solution, MCHC-Chlorin at a concentration of 1mg/mL −1 . As light source, it was used a laser diode equipment of 660 nm, power of 50 mW, and emission of 0.04 cm 2 in dose of 100 J. The samples were divided into different groups, where groups 1, 2 and 6 were controls, and 3, 4 and 5, test groups, being the latter, the study group of photodynamic action. Results In group 1, there was no fungal growth and in group 2, there was growth of the microorganism. Groups 3 and 4 ( p < 0.0001), which received the therapy incompletely, perceived a maintenance of CFU growth. In group 5, a group that received photodynamic therapy (PDT), there was a total reduction of the fungus from the 15th minute of laser irradiation. In group 6 ( p = 0.1028) that tested the action of the drug Amphoterin B, there was a reduction of the CFU, but without statistically significant difference when compared with group 5. Conclusion Given the exposed results, it can be inferred that the photodynamic therapy with the use of MCHC-Chlorin at the concentration of 1 mg/mL −1 is effective in reducing in vitro the fungus Candida albicans .