Adjunctive phototherapies for oral manifestation of HIV-related histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis: An unusual case report

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2023 Dec:44:103768. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103768. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

Abstract

Background: Secondary infections of leishmaniasis and histoplasmosis in patients with advanced HIV are still a concern in low- and middle-income countries. The most common drugs for the treatment of both infections may be problematic mainly due to their toxicity.

Aim and case report: The present study aimed to report a case in which a concurrent oral manifestation of leishmaniasis and histoplasmosis in a hospitalized patient with HIV was managed with a combination of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjuvant treatment. In addition to the use of conventional systemic oral drugs, a single aPDT session followed by two PBMT sessions was proposed, which resulted in complete wound healing within four days.

Conclusion: Given the complexity of the current case, PBMT in combination with aPDT may be considered as an effective adjuvant option for managing oral infectious lesions of histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis in immunocompromised patients.

Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; Histoplasmosis; Leishmaniasis; Photobiomodulation therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections* / complications
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections* / drug therapy
  • Histoplasmosis* / complications
  • Histoplasmosis* / diagnosis
  • Histoplasmosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis* / complications
  • Leishmaniasis* / diagnosis
  • Leishmaniasis* / drug therapy
  • Photochemotherapy* / methods
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents