Killing of the yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans using a light-activated antimicrobial agent

Oral infections due to Candida albicans are a common occurrence in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the yeast and hyphal forms of the organism could be killed using the light-activated antimicrobial agent toluidine blue O (TBO). Three variables were investigated: TBO concentration, laser light dose and pre-irradiation time (PIT). Irradiation with light from a helium neon (HeNe) gas laser used in conjunction with the photosensitiser TBO resulted in substantial kills of both the yeast and hyphal forms. Killing was light dose-dependent with 42 J being the most effective dose. The optimum PIT for the yeast form was 5 min, whereas killing of the hyphal form was not affected by PIT. The results of this study have shown that both farms of C. albicans are susceptible to lethal photosensitisation using TBO in conjunction with HeNe laser light, suggesting the possibility that this approach could be useful for eliminating the organism from diseased lesions in vivo.