Inactivation of Bacterial Pathogens following Exposure to Light from a 405-Nanometer Light-Emitting Diode Array

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.01892-08
• Publication Date: 2009-02-07T09:02:15Z
• Authors: Michelle Maclean; Scott J. MacGregor; John G. Anderson; Gerry Woolsey
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 570; Cross Infection; 0303 health sciences; Microbial Viability; Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering; Light; 610; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Microbiology; 3. Good health; Disinfection; 03 medical and health sciences; Gram-Negative Bacteria

This study demonstrates the susceptibility of a variety medically important bacteria to inactivation by 405-nm light from an array light-emitting diodes (LEDs), without application exogenous photosensitizer molecules. Selected bacterial pathogens, all commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections, were exposed LED array, and results show that both gram-positive gram-negative species successfully inactivated, general trend showing be more susceptible than bacteria. Detailed investigation bactericidal effect blue-light treatment on Staphylococcus aureus suspensions, for range different population densities, demonstrated illumination can cause complete at high densities: levels corresponding 9-log(10) reduction achieved. The results, which wide including methicillin-resistant aureus, demonstrate that, further development, narrow-spectrum visible-light source has potential provide novel decontamination method applications.