Determining the optimal parameters of 420-nm intense pulsed light on Trichophyton rubrum growth in vitro.

The effect of and the optimal parameters for intense pulsed light (IPL) with a 420-nm filter on an isolate of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) were examined in vitro. Colonies of T. rubrum were irradiated by using 420-nm IPL with various pulse numbers and energies. Colony areas were photographed and compared with those of untreated colonies to assess growth inhibition. Statistically significant inhibition of T. rubrum growth was detected in colonies treated with 12 pulses of greater than or equal to 12 J/cm2. The optimal parameters of 420-nm IPL were 12 pulses of 12 J/cm2. However, more in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to investigate and explore this mechanism to determine whether IPL would have a potential use in the treatment of fungal infections of the skin.