Methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy may be superior to 5% amorolfine nail lacquer for non-dermatophyte onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND

Methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy as an antimicrobial has been reported to improve onychomycosis.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the short-term efficacy of methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy (MB-PDT) and 5% amorolfine nail lacquer (AMO) for toenail onychomycosis using higher intensity and shorter total treatment period than previously reported.

METHODS

Twenty-seven toenails with onychomycosis were randomized to receive either six biweekly sessions of MB-PDT or AMO for twelve weeks. Dermoscopic photography was used for onychomycosis severity index assessment under a dermoscopic inspection (d-OSI) at baseline, weeks 6, 10, 14 and 22 as well as microscopic and microbiological tests. Adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

All subjects completed the study. Causative organisms found were exclusively non-dermatophytes including Fusarium spp., Asperillus spp.,and yeasts. Fifteen toenails received MB-PDT, whilst 12 received AMO. D-OSI showed greater improvement in MB-PDT than in AMO groups at weeks 6, 10, 14 as well as 22, with median changes of -2, -3, -4 (P = .055). and - 3 respectively in the MB-PDT group. The AMO group displayed the median d-OSI change of 0 throughout the study period. Mycological cure rate at 22 weeks in MB-PDT and AMO group was 73.3% and 66.67% (P > .05). Clinical cure rate at 22 weeks in MB-PDT (26.7%) was higher than AMO (16.7%), (P > .05). All patients only felt comfortably warm during the MB-PDT treatment. No major adverse events were found in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

MB-PDT appeared to be more efficacious for non-dermatophyte onychomycosis than AMO particularly in a limited period and moderately severe onychomycosis.