Comparing Liposome-Photosensitizers for Photodynamic and Photothermal Treatment Against S. aureus Biofilms

Zahra Gounani – Academy Research Fellow, University of Helsinki; Timo Laaksonen – Professor, University of Helsinki; Deborah A. Nkansah – Master's student, University of Helsinki

Introduction:

S. aureus Biofilm is a major clinical challenge due to its resistance to conventional antibiotics [1]. Antibacterial photodynamic and photothermal therapy (PDT and PTT) using photosensitizers (PS) have emerged as promising approach against resistant infections. Nano-liposomal delivery, a prominent PS delivery, improves their biocompatibility [2], delivery, and can enhance ROS generation, and biofilm disruption compared to free PS [3]. This study compares liposomal delivery of two PSs, indocyanine green (ICG) with synergistic PTT/PDT affect [4], and LASU a novel phthalocyanine PS [5], encapsulated in positively charged nanoliposomes, against S. aureus biofilm (Figure 1). Figure 1