Photodynamic Therapy for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain using Photogem and 630 nm LED

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common nosocomial pathogens. It is associated with hospitals is now being isolated in the community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy using Photogem and 630 nm LED on MRSA and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The broth cultured MRSA and MSSA incubated with various concentrations of Photogem (500,50,5 and $0.5{\mu}g/mL$) for 4 h. Then 630 nm LED was given at $9\;J/cm^2$, $20{\mu}l$ of the exposed bacteria solution was inoculated onto agar plate. Plates were incubated for 24 hand colonies were counted. The PDT group was effective in killing MRSA and MSSA at the Photogem dose of $50{\mu}g/mL$. But MSSA is more sensitive than MRSA in photodynamic effect. Other groups (light only, sensitizer only, or no treatment) observed no bacterial cell killing. These results raise the possibility of using PDT with or without antimicrobial drugs to eradicate MRSA and MSSA. In order to confirm this result, we need to further study bacterial death mechanism and in vivo study.