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Cutaneous alternariosis is a rare condition, more frequently presented in immunocompromised patients, which usually requires long courses of systemic antifungals that may interact with other medications. The presented series shows three cases of cutaneous alternariosis in immunocompromised patients and organ transplant recipients that were successfully treated with photodynamic therapy and oral antifungals, allowing a reduction in the systemic treatment duration and therefore decreasing the risk of side effects and drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl aminolevulinate daylight photodynamic therapy (MAL DL‐PDT) is highly efficacious for the treatment of nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratosis (AK), even when partially performed at home. To evaluate the long‐term effectiveness, safety, and patient‐reported outcomes of MAL DL‐PDT performed completely by the patient in real life conditions. An open prospective study was conducted in Spain among patients diagnosed with at least five AK lesions on the face or the scalp. Patients received instruction and information in infographic format to perform MAL DL‐PDT at home. All had been treated with 30% urea daily for 7 days before the day of MAL DL‐PDT. Meteorological conditions on the day of the treatment and adverse effects were recorded. Patients underwent follow‐up, and a second session of home‐based MAL DL‐PDT if deemed necessary, 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial treatment session. The study population consisted of 22 patients (19 men and three women, mean [standard deviation, SD] age, 72.05 [6.96] years). A complete response was observed in 47.7% of AK lesions at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 65.9% (n = 199) at 12 months (p < 0.001). Olsen grade II lesions showed the highest rate of response (76.07% at 12 months). The mean (SD) actinic keratosis area and severity index score decreased significantly from 4.99 (2.43) at baseline to 2.33 (1.01) at 12 months (p = 0.0234). Adverse effects were mild and expected. A majority of patients were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the treatment instruction provided (90.9%) and the treatment outcome (72.7%). MAL DL‐PDT can be applied at home like any other topical treatment for AK. Our results indicate good long‐term effectiveness, a high level of patient satisfaction, and no significant side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onychomycosis accounts for 50% of nail disorders, making it one of the most prevalent fungal diseases and a therapeutic challenge. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) could constitute a therapeutic alternative, owing to its good adherence, the low probability of resistance, the lack of interaction with antimicrobials, and its favorable adverse effect profile. This retrospective observational study included all patients with a microbiological diagnosis of onychomycosis treated with PDT at Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza (Spain), between January 2013 and June 2021. The protocol consisted of pre-treatment with 40% urea for 7 days, followed by 16% methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) for 3 h and subsequent irradiation with a red-light LED lamp (37 J/cm2), every 1 or 2 weeks. Combined treatment with oral and/or topical antifungals was recorded. Of the 20 patients included (mean age, 59 ± 17 years), 55% were men. The most frequently detected microorganism was Trichophyton rubrum (55%). The most commonly affected location was the feet (90%): 50% of these cases were associated with tinea pedis. The median (standard deviation) number of PDT sessions was 6 (2.8). PDT was combined with systemic terbinafine (250 mg/day) in 10 cases (in 8 cases, this was administered for only 1 month), and with topical terbinafine in 3 cases. A complete clinical response was achieved in 80% (16) of cases and microbiological cure in 60% (12). PDT is a therapeutic alternative for onychomycosis, and can be administered either in monotherapy or combined with antifungals, allowing for a reduction in the duration and possible adverse effects of antifungal treatment and achieving higher cure rates than those obtained with either treatment alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on identifying dermoscopic signs of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), both superficial and nodular, predictive of the response to photodynamic therapy (PDT). It study conducted a prospective analysis of dermoscopic patterns associated with PDT response in BCC patients, revealing that spoke wheel areas, concentric structures, and leaf-like structures at the dermal-epidermal junction were linked to a lack of response to PDT.

Multiresistant Mycobacterium abscessus ulcer treated with photodynamic therapy with methyl-aminolevulinate A new approach to the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterium skin infections caused by iatrogenic manipulation: photodynamic therapy combined with antibiotics: a pilot study. I Mycobacterium abscessus i is a rapidly growing mycobacterium.1 They are a rare cause of infections with an incidence of 0.2 per 100,000.2 The lungs are the most frequent site of infection. [Extracted from the article]