Bactericidal Effects of Low-Irradiance Low Level Light Therapy on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Vitro

Abstract

Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) within the visible blue spectrum (400-470 nanometers) is a well-documented therapeutic alternative to combat multidrug resistant organism infections through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, one shortcoming of LLLT is that many studies deliver therapy through high powered lasers and lamps. High powered light sources not only require specialized staff to operate, but they also deliver the total light dose (fluence) at an exceptionally high intensity, or irradiance, which could consequently deplete the oxygen supplies required to promote LLLT’s bactericidal properties. To overcome these faults, low-irradiance LLLT, or delivering the same total fluence of LLLT over an extended period of time with decreased irradiance was evaluated in vitro. To further explore this alternative approach, the bactericidal effects of low-irradiance (10.44 mW/cm2) LLLT using wavelengths of 405-nm, 422-nm and 470-nm were studied on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cultures. Among these wavelengths, it was determined that 405-nm LLLT provided the most effective reduction of bacterial load at the lowest total fluence (75 J/cm2) (94.50% reduction). The bactericidal effects of 405-nm low-irradiance LLLT were then further studied by treating MRSA cultures to 75 J/cm2 LLLT while using irradiances of 5.22 mW/cm2 and 3.48 mW/cm2. It was concluded that there was a greater reduction of MRSA bacterial load when samples were exposed to irradiances of 5.22 mW/cm2 (95.71% reduction) and 3.48 mW/cm2 (99.63% reduction). This study validates the bactericidal properties of low-irradiance LLLT on MRSA, and subsequent studies should be completed to optimize its full therapeutic potential.