Laser Irradiation on Growth of Trichophyton Rubrum: An in Vitro Study

Abstract Introduction: Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common species of dermatophytes which affects superficial keratinous tissue. It is not especially virulent but it can be responsible for considerable morbidity. Although there are different therapeutic modalities to treat fungal infections, clinicians are searching for alternative treatment because of the various side effects of the present therapeutic methods. As a new procedure, Laser therapy has brought on many advantages in clinical management of dermatophytes. Possible inhibitory potential of laser irradiation on fungal colonies was investigated invitro in this study.Methods: A total of ۲۴۰ fungal plates of standard size of trichophyton rubrum colonies that had been cultured from the lesions of different patients at the mycology laboratory, were selected. Each fungal plate was assigned as control or experimental group. Experimental plates were irradiated by a laser system (low power laser or different wavelength of high power laser). The effects of different laser wavelengths and energies on isolated colonies were assessed. After laser irradiation, final size of colonies was measured on the first, the ۷th and the ۱۴th day after laser irradiation.Results: Although low power laser irradiation did not have any inhibitory effect on fungal growth, the Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser ۵۳۲nm at ۸j/cm۲, Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser ۱۰۶۴nm at ۴j/cm۲ to ۸j/cm۲ and Pulsed dye laser ۵۹۵nm at ۸j/cm۲ to ۱۴j/cm۲ significantly inhibited growth of trichophyton rubrum in vitro.Conclusion: Q-Switched Nd:YAG ۵۳۲nm at ۸j/cm۲, Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser ۱۰۶۴nm at ۴j/cm۲ to ۸j/cm۲ and pulsed dye laser (PDL) ۵۹۵nm at ۸j/cm۲ to ۱۴j/cm۲ can be effective to suppress trichophyton rubrum growth. Keywords: laser dermatophyte Q-Switched Nd YAG lasers PDL