Use of fluorescent light energy for the management of bacterial skin infection associated with canine calcinosis cutis lesions

Abstract

A 15-year-old male golden retriever who had been receiving prednisolone for orthopaedic problems for the past 2 years was presented for multifocal symmetrical alopecia, skin nodules and plaques on the dorsal aspect of the body. Cytology was compatible with calcinosis cutis due to suspected iatrogenic hypercortisolism, with secondary pyoderma. The Phovia system, a device that emits fluorescent light energy (FLE), was used as an adjunct to systemic antimicrobial and topical (spray and shampoo) therapies. Part of the lesions were covered with a towel and not exposed to Phovia, to evaluate efficacy. Cytology confirmed accelerated improvement of the Phovia-illuminated lesions compared with unexposed lesions. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of FLE being used to manage bacterial skin infection associated with canine calcinosis cutis. It highlights the importance of this type of topical management against bacterial skin infections.

Fluorescent Light Energy in the Management of Multi Drug Resistant Canine Pyoderma: A Prospective Exploratory Study

“…Fluorescent light energy (FLE) is a pioneering form of PBM that uses fluorescence to decrease the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and increase epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), platelet-delivered growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen I and III, Ki67, factor VIII, and decorin (DCN) levels, in addition to causing an increase in both number and size of mitochondria [ 19 , 20 ]. FLE has been demonstrated to ameliorate and cure superficial bacterial folliculitis [ 18 ], deep pyoderma [ 21 ], canine interdigital furunculosis (CIF) [ 22 ], canine perianal fistulas [ 23 ], and cutaneous calcinosis [ 24 ]. In such instances, FLE was responsible for a lessening in the length of antibiotic therapy (and time needed for healing) when administered as add-on therapy, especially in deep and interdigital pyoderma.…”

Critically Appraised Topic on Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Dogs: An Advisable Treatment for Skin Diseases?

“…As described in Table 2, at the end of this step of quality assessment, each study was graded [32] according to total score: conclusive evidence (total score 8-10) [18,21,23], highly suggestive evidence (total score 6-7) [13,16,17,20,22], suggestive evidence (total score 4-5) [11,14,15,19,26], or inconclusive evidence (total score ≤ 3) [10,12,24,25,27,28]. Studies showing inconclusive evidence were excluded from further assessment.…”

Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Fluorescence Light Energy Biomodulation in Veterinary Medicine

“…Cytology was conducted weekly during treatment and confirmed accelerated improvement of FBM-managed lesions compared with unexposed ones. In addition, FBM areas had no bacterial infection, whereas other areas were still infected, confirming a possible antibacterial effect of FBM [ 58 ]. Even if this is only a case report, FBM was able to control bacterial overgrowth in this complicated case.…”

“…After the favorable results in CIP, FBM has been successfully applied to manage bacterial skin infections associated with canine calcinosis cutis lesions [ 58 ]. A 15-year-old male Golden Retriever presenting multifocal symmetrical alopecia, skin nodules, and plaques on the dorsal part of the body was diagnosed with calcinosis cutis due to suspected iatrogenic hypercortisolism due to prednisolone administration over the previous two years.…”