7 / 16
Page 22
Notes:
allied
academies
Archives of Industrial Biotechnology | Volume 2
May 14-15, 2018 | Montreal, Canada
World Yeast Congress
F
ungi have become increasingly recognized as major
pathogens in critically ill patients. The incidences of
superficial and systemic fungal infections have increased
markedly and caused a public health problem. Some factors
may contribute to rise the occurrence of fungal infections,
highlighting that antifungal treatment is limited toa very small
number of drug substances; in many cases the treatment
is ineffective, especially, due the arising of resistant fungal
strains; very often the treatment is prolonged and serious
side effects and drug–drug interactions are common. These
problems have renewed the search for alternative treatment
modalities, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT)
seems to be a potential candidate. Several studies have
been show that dermatophytes and yeasts can be effectively
inhibited in vitro and
in vivo
by aPDT, causing a minimal
damage to host cells. This therapy employs a photosensitizer
(PS), visible light, and molecular oxygen to produce cytotoxic
reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to apoptosis. So, my
presentation aims to raise awareness of this area of research,
which has the potential to make a significant impact in future
treatment of fungal infections.
Speaker Biography
Wanessa Melo has completed her PhD at the age of 29 years in Science with especial
focus in microbial infection at Universidade de São Paulo-Brazil. Part of her PhD was
realized under Dr. Michael Hamblin supervision at Massachusetts General Hospital and
Havard Medical School – Boston-MA. Her postdoctoral was performed at Universidade
Estadual de São Paulo – Brazil, evaluating the activity of photodynamic therapy against
fungal biofilms. Currently, she is professor-research at Faculdade de Guanambi- Brazil,
where she develops several studies in photodynamic therapy area.
e:
wanessamelobio@yahoo.com.brAntifungal photodynamic therapy: An overview
Wanessa de Cássia Martins Antunes de Melo
Faculty of Guanambi, Brazil