Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy to oral candidiasis not responsive to micafungin in a patient undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation

•An aPDT session for oral pseudomembranous candidiasis not responsive to micafungin.•Reduction in candidiasis related-symptoms within a day.•Complete resolution of the fungal infection on the third day. In hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) patients, opportunistic fungal infections – especially candidiasis - are typical and, due to the immunosuppressed condition, severe and fatal clinical conditions may occur. Many antifungal agents are used for treating candidiasis; however, there are non-responsive, drug-resistant cases in which alternative antimicrobial therapies are strongly needed. The present study aimed to report a clinical case in which antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was used for extensive oral pseudomembranous candidiasis not responsive to micafungin in a patient undergoing HCT. Thus, 0.01 % methylene blue solution was applied for 3 min onto the infected area, followed by 660-nm laser irradiation. Within 72 h, there was neither a symptom nor a sign of the fungal infection. According to the current case report, aPDT seems to be highly effective for HCT patients presenting oral candidiasis not responsive to micafungin; however, further studies are necessary.