Fractionated illumination improves the treatment outcomes of photodynamic therapy for high grade cutaneous leishmaniasis

Low‐level laser therapy for the treatment of early stage cutaneous leishmaniasis: A pilot study

“…This argument is also supported by the large number of patients presenting with advance (grade IV-V) CL lesions: this particular cohort of patients were treated with photodynamic therapy, as reported in our previous studies. 15 Moreover, several studies have illustrated that small doses of light radiation delivered at low intensity (as used in this study) stimulate the healing of different types of wounds, [19][20][21] potentially reducing duration of the disease. What's more, no side effects have been known for the small doses of light radiation used in LLLT, except occasional pain and burning sensation.…”

“…All the patients with partial or no response to LLLT were subse- reported. 15 In this study, the pain of the patients during the LLLT treatment was assessed and estimated on a numeric scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain); the results are summarized in Table 5. It may be noted that the pain score for the majority of the patients fall in the minor pain category, while only a few patients reported moderate or severe pain.…”

“…Based on the clinical presentation and morphological features (ie, status of lesion size, shape, and infection), all the CL lesions were classified in Grade I (ie, papule with mild overlying fine scales of size ≤1 cm) to Grade V (ie, vesicle formation, ulceration, and superadded infection of size >4 cm), as described in Table 1; this grading scheme of the CL lesions was kept consistent with our previous study to facilitate an objective comparison of the results. 15 Moreover, all the patients were divided into two groups, on the basis of the stage of their CL lesions. Specifically, group 1 comprised of patients who presented with low grade (ie, Grade I and II) CL lesions while patients who presented with highgrade disease (ie, Grade III-V) were placed in group 2.…”

“…Again, this numeric pain scale was kept consistent with our previous study to facilitate an objective comparison of the results. 15 All patients included in this study received LLLT only.…”

“…Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is another promising approach to treat CL lesions, where a photosensitizing agent is topically applied to the lesion followed by light illumination of a specific wavelength that induces a cascade of photochemical reaction, ultimately killing the diseased tissue/cells preferentially. 15 Despite this progress at the therapeutic end of the tropical disease, these scientific efforts have not fully established new and better treatment options in the clinics for patients suffering from CL. Consequently, the essential need for an effective adjunct treatment modality for the management of CL patients still persists.…”