Factors influencing the susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to toluidine blue O-mediated lethal photosensitization

Aims: Bacteria can be killed by red light in the presence of a photosensitizer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of physiological and environmental factors on the susceptibility of some bacteria associated with oral infections in immunocompromised patients to killing by the photosensitizer toluidine blue 0 (TBO). Methods and Results: Suspensions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in human saliva, horse serum or saline were exposed to light from a helium/ neon laser in the presence of TBO. Additional suspensions at various growth phases and pHs were treated in an identical manner. Survivors were enumerated by viable counting. All three species were susceptible to lethal photosensitization under all of the conditions tested. The presence of serum and, to a lesser extent, saliva decreased the level of kill attained. The bactericidal effect was reduced at acid pHs but was unaffected by the growth phase of the organism. Conclusions: The composition and pH of the fluid in which bacteria are suspended influenced the effectiveness of TBO-mediated lethal photosensitization, whereas killing was unaffected by the growth phase of the organism. Significance and Impact of the Study: Environmental factors operating in the mouths of patients with mucositis could reduce the effectiveness of TBO-mediated lethal photosensitization of bacteria associated with this condition.