A pilot study of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy of encapsulated Aspergillus fumigatus in a rabbit maxillary sinus model

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common isolated agent in chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis with patients enduring painful and recurrent sinus symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy is essential to avoid a protracted or fatal outcome. Our group has developed a novel methylene blue-based photodynamic therapy approach to treatment of Aspergillus rhinosinusitis. Briefly, A. fumigatus was encapsulated within 250μm agar beads in a validated model and titrated into the rabbit maxillary sinus. A. fumigatus burden after Sinuwave™ antimicrobial photodynamic therapy was compared to control, with > 99.9% reduction in recoverable fungus, a highly significant outcome.