ANTIBODY-TARGETED PHOTOLYSIS OF BACTERIA IN-VIVO

We have evaluated the efficacy of antibody-targeted photolysis to kill bacteria in vivo using specific antibacterial photosensitizer (PS) immunoconjugates. After infecting the dorsal skin in mice with Pseudomonos aeruginosa, both specific and nonspecific tin (IV) chlorin e(6)-monoclonal antibody conjugates were injected at the infection site. After a 15 min incubation period, the site was exposed to 630 mm light with a power density of 100 mW/cm(2) for 1600 seconds. Irradiation resulted in a greater than 75% decrease in the number of viable bacteria at sites treated with a specific conjugate, whereas normal bacterial growth was observed in animals that were untreated or treated with a nonspecific conjugate. Antibody-targeted photolysis may be a selective and versatile tool for treating a variety of infections.