Synergistic Paradigms in Infection Control: A Review on Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunctive Strategy to Antibiotics
Jennifer M. Soares, Thaila Quatrini Corrêa, Claudia Patricia Barrera Patiño, Isabella Salgado Gonçalves, Gabriel Grube dos Santos, Gabriela Gomes Guimarães, Rebeca Vieira de Lima, Thalita H. N. Lima, Bruna Carolina Corrêa, Taina Cappellini, Maria Vitória Silva Pereira, Anna Luiza Resende, Vladislav V. Yakovlev, Kate Cristina Blanco, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
Abstract
The increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates developing novel strategies to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics. This review explores the potential of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunctive approach to antibiotic therapy. A systematic literature search was conducted in major scientific databases, focusing on studies published in the past decade investigating the synergistic effects of aPDT with antibiotics. Selected articles were analyzed based on their experimental approaches, bacterial targets, photodynamic parameters, and reported treatment outcomes. aPDT induces bacterial cell damage by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhancing antibiotic susceptibility, and reducing required dosages. Furthermore, the review highlights promising research on optimizing treatment parameters and antibiotic combination strategies to maximize therapeutic outcomes. Despite its potential, aPDT faces obstacles to treatment standardization, variability in bacterial responses, and clinical implementation hurdles. These challenges require standardized protocols, further in vivo studies, and regulatory advancements to integrate aPDT into mainstream antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion: The synergy between aPDT and antibiotics represents a promising frontier in infection control, offering a safer, more effective, and resistance-mitigating strategy for bacterial infections. Future research should focus on refining treatment parameters, assessing long-term clinical impacts, and facilitating the widespread adoption of aPDT as a complementary antimicrobial approach.