**Author details**

on the viability of *L.amazonensis* promastigotes for all treated groups in comparison to their controls. The authors did not find statistical differences between the dyes, but reported that

Dutta *et al*. published an article that described the use of a combination of photosensitizers. Uroporphyrin (URO1) and aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlPhCl) were used in uroporphyrinogenic mutants of *L*. *amazonensis* (RAT/ BA/ 74 /LV78) 12-1 clone, transfected with pX-alad and p6,5-PBGD [73]. This transfected *Leishmania* is able to absorb ALA and turns it into URO 1. The authors evaluated the combination of both drugs into promastigotes with and without irradiation of red light. Results showed photolysis of the irradiated parasites with

Hernández *et al*. published another study that compared encapsulated chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (CLAlPc) in liposomes (UDL-CLAlPc) and free in solution. The experiments were conducted with two species of New World *Leishmania* in promastigote and amastigote forms and in THP1 cells. The experiments tried to verify the ability of the photosensitizer in reaching the *Leishmania* inside THP1 host cell. According to the authors, the UDL-ClAlPc photosensitizer was almost 10 times more photoactive than free ClAlPc on THP-1 cells as well as on promastigotes and with intracellular amastigotes of *L. chagasi* and *L. panamensis* [74].

both photosensitizers whereas non-irradiated parasites showed no damage.

**•** First reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis using PDT were performed in humans;

**•** More than one PDT session is necessary to achieve wound healing.

new photosensitizers and to establish structure/activity relationships.

**•** Both New and Old World *Leishmania* can be treated with PDT.

**•** Treatments using porphyrin precursors, ALA and MAL, showed positive results on the cure

**•** The low-cost phenothiazine methylene blue and red light can be used to treat patients with

**•** Murine models of infection such as Balb/c and hamster show to be appropriate for PDT

**•** *In vitro* tests demonstrate that Old and New world *Leishmania* species can be used to test

**•** PDT also has the potential to control leishmaniasis transmission by the treatment of vectors and infected animal reservoirs, although the development of these potentials will need

the best result was observed with TBO.

406 Leishmaniasis - Trends in Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

**9. Conclusions**

of patients with CL;

studies of CL treatment.

further investigation.

CL;

Debora P. Aureliano1,2, Martha S. Ribeiro1 , José Angelo Lauletta Lindoso2,3, Fabio C. Pogliani3 , Fábio P. Sellera4 , Dennis Song3,5 and Mauricio S. Baptista5

1 Centro de Lasers e Aplicações (CLA)/ IPEN- CNEN, Brazil

2 Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia (LIM38-HC-FMUSP) e Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

3 Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas-SES-SP, Brazil

4 Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Uni‐ versidade de São Paulo, Brazil

5 Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
