The effect of variable energy input from a novel light source on the photoactivated bactericidal action of toluidine blue O on Streptococcus Mutans.

Although the combination of toluidine blue O (TBO) dye and laser light at a wavelength of 633 nm has a bactericidal effect, light from laboratory lasers can only be directed externally at a bacterial colony or suspension. In this study a novel delivery system guided the laser light to an 800-micrometer diameter spherical tip (an isotropic tip) from which light radiated producing a uniform sphere of light within the colony or suspension. The system was highly effective in killing TBO-treated Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449 in stirred planktonic suspension, killing at least 10(9 )cfu/ml. Antibacterial action increased as the delivered energy dose increased. Energy doses of 1.8 J or more produced 100% kills and log reductions of 8-10 cfu/ml. Neither TBO dye nor light alone had a significant antibacterial effect under the experimental conditions used. The existence of a threshold energy, i.e. a minimum energy required before bactericidal action occurred, could not be demonstrated.