Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: An Unexplored New Field.

For several years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been a treatment option for skin conditions such as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Recently, this technique has been studied for skin infections, particularly those in which biofilms have formed. The antibacterial, immunoregulatory, and regenerative effect of PDT may enable healing of antibioticresistant infections and infections at sites with limited antibiotic penetration. The technique may also be useful in patients for whom a local treatment is sought free of the side effects of systemic antibiotic therapies. The group who published this article has extensive experience in the use of PDT for the treatment of onychomycosis and other infections, such as sporotrichosis, Scytalidium, Demodex or