Preliminary data on the efficacy of multi-wave (multi-wavelength) diode laser on bacteria in superficial canine pyoderma

C. S. Cabassi, G. Ghibaudo, S. Flisi, C. Spadini, M. Monici
Energy for Health [18], 2019

Superficial canine pyoderma is a common bacterial skin infection which affects the superficial portion of the hair follicle (Bajwa, 2016; Baumer, 2017). In dogs, this condition is associated with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius as predominant pathogen. Other bacteria can be also isolated, such as E. coli and others (Rantala, 2004). Antibiotic resistance is observed for Staphylococcus pseudintermedius for the presence of transposon-borne resistance gene which are incorporated into the chromosomal DNA; other mechanism of resistance in Staphylococci and Gram negative bacteria include plasmid-borne resistance genes.
Resistance genes can be easily acquired and transferred in the bacterial population.
Superficial bacterial folliculitis often tends to become a recurrent condition for inappropriate therapy (drugs used, duration of treatment), lack of diagnostics, development of methicillin resistance in the staphylococci population.
It is therefore of critical importance the application of a correct diagnostic protocol which include cytology, bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity evaluation.
Since the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance has become a common condition in the bacteria causing superficial canine pyoderma, therapeutic options usually require novel approaches.
At date, guidelines for antimicrobial therapy for canine superficial bacterial folliculitis include a combination of both topical and systemic antibiotic therapy (Hillier, 2014).
In the initial step of the therapeutic treatment, topical therapy is considered a good approach, when lesions are localized, or in the early stages of generalized superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) when lesions are mild. Moreover, local therapy can help prevent recurrence (Bajwa, 2016).
Laser therapy is an alternative treatment, since it has reported to be effective in the management of bacterial dermatitis. Laser therapy may help the homeostasis of host tissue, but beside that, a direct activity on pathogen survival, host inflammatory response and repair mechanisms have been demonstrated.
This study had a dual purpose: the first was to evaluate the ability of Near Infrared (NIR) laser emission (MLS^® - Multiwave Locked System laser, Mphi, ASA Srl, Arcugnano, Italy) to decrease the bacterial load present in the skin lesions of the examined dogs, before and after the in vivo laser treatment; the latter was to evaluate the in vitro bactericidal activity of the laser treatment on the isolated bacterial strains, after direct irradiation of the bacterial suspension in log phase of growth.