Comparative study of the bactericidal effects of indocyanine green‐ and methyl aminolevulinate‐based photodynamic therapy on Propionibacterium acnes as a new treatment for acne

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological problems, and its therapeutic options include topical and systemic retinoids and antibiotics. However, increase in problems associated with acne treatment, such as side-effects from conventional agents and bacterial resistance to antibiotics, has led to greater use of photodynamic therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare the bactericidal effects of indocyanine green- and methyl aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy on Propionibacterium acnes. P. acnes were cultured under anaerobic conditions; then they were divided into three groups (control, treated with indocyanine green and treated with methyl aminolevulinate) and illuminated with different lights (630-nm light-emitting diode, 805-nm diode laser and 830-nm light-emitting diode). The bactericidal effects were evaluated by comparing each group's colony-forming units. The cultured P. acnes were killed with an 805-nm diode laser and 830-nm light-emitting diode in the indocyanine green group. No bactericidal effects of methyl aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy were identified. The clinical efficacy of indocyanine green-based photodynamic therapy in 21 patients was retrospectively analyzed. The Korean Acne Grading System was used to evaluate treatment efficacy, which was significantly decreased after treatment. The difference in the efficacy of the 805-nm diode laser and 830-nm light-emitting diode was not statistically significant. Although the methyl aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy showed no bactericidal effect, the indocyanine green-based photodynamic therapy has bactericidal effect and clinical efficacy.

Randomized controlled double‐blind study of a cleanser composed of 5‐aminolevulinic acid and peptides on mild and moderate acne vulgaris

“…Nonablative fractional laser treatment was found to assist daylight photodynamic therapy with topical methyl aminolevulinate for moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris . In addition, new photosensitizers, such as indole‐3‐acetic acid and indocyanine green, have been introduced for the treatment of acne vulgaris . In this study, we evaluated photodynamic therapy with a cleanser containing 5‐ALA and peptides for mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.…”

“…have been introduced for the treatment of acne vulgaris. 16,17 In this study, we evaluated photodynamic therapy with a cleanser containing 5-ALA and peptides for mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.…”

Argon Plasma: A New Approach for the Effective Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris and Enlarged Pores in Asian Patients

“…Accordingly, researchers have called for limiting the use of oral antibiotics in the treatment of acne. 17 Meanwhile, studies have indicated that plasma holds profound bactericidal and fungicidal properties in vitro, and a prospective randomized controlled trial has shown argon plasma to be efficacious and safe in decreasing bacterial load in chronic wounds. 11,12,18 As seen in Fig.…”

Comparisons of Four Acne Grading Systems Recommended in China, Korea, and Japan

“…11,12 (2) Grading Scale for overall severity (GSOS) was an evolution of the GAGS, which graded only on the facial area and was applied in the Australia; 13 (3) the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Europe encouraged the Global Assessment of Acne (IGA) and the Global Assessment of Acne (GEA) scale respectively; 14-17 (4) The grading tools used in China were the International Improved Grading System (IIGS) advocated in the textbook of Chinese Clinical Dermatology edited by Zhao Bian and the acne grading system (AGS), which was stated in the Acne Diagnosis and Treatment Guide of China; 17,18 (5) Korea Acne Grading System (KAGS) and Japan Acne Grading System (JAGS) were utilized in Korea and Japan respectively. 19,20 Every AV evaluation tool has benefits and drawbacks. The type and quantity of lesions are considered by GAGS, GOGS, IGA, GEA, IIGS, KAGS, and JAGS except IGA.…”