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Rapid Control of Wound Infections by Targeted Photodynamic Therapy Monitored by In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging ¶
Author(s) -
Hamblin Michael R.,
O'Donnell David A.,
Murthy Naveen,
Contag Christopher H.,
Hasan Tayyaba
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1562/0031-8655(2002)0750051rcowib2.0.co2
Subject(s) - bioluminescence , photodynamic therapy , photosensitizer , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , bacteria , in vivo , photorhabdus luminescens , bioluminescence imaging , antibiotics , biology , bioburden , escherichia coli , chemistry , luciferase , biochemistry , transfection , photochemistry , organic chemistry , gene , genetics
The worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. In this study we report on the first use of a photochemical approach to destroy bacteria infecting a wound in an animal model. Following topical application, a targeted polycationic photosensitizer conjugate between poly‐ l ‐lysine and chlorin e6 penetrated the Gram (−) outer bacterial membrane, and subsequent activation with 660 nm laser light rapidly killed Escherichia coli infecting excisional wounds in mice. To facilitate real‐time monitoring of infection, we used bacteria that expressed the lux operon from Photorhabdus luminescens ; these cells emitted a bioluminescent signal that allowed the infection to be rapidly quantified, using a low‐light imaging system. There was a light‐dose dependent loss of luminescence in the wound treated with conjugate and light, not seen in untreated wounds. Treated wounds healed as well as control wounds, showing that the photodynamic treatment did not damage the host tissue. Our study points to the possible use of this methodology in the rapid control of wounds and other localized infections.