Photodynamic Therapy of an Abdominal Abscess at the Time of Percutaneous Drainage

This article presents a successful case study from an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial where methylene blue together with ML7710 is used to eradicate bacteria and biofilm in the treatment of persistent abscesses.

The potential of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is explored as an adjunct treatment for recurrent or challenging-to-manage abdominal abscesses during percutaneous drainage procedures. Despite advancements in abscess drainage techniques and antibiotics, some cases exhibit low response rates and recurrences, leading to increased healthcare costs and patient discomfort. The study reports a case of a 47-year-old female with a tubo-ovarian abscess treated with percutaneous drainage and PDT using methylene blue as a photosensitizer. The procedure was well-tolerated, and the patient experienced a dramatic improvement in symptoms. PDT may hold promise in eradicating residual microbial populations, reducing recurrence, drainage duration, and antibiotic dependence. Clinical trials are underway to assess its efficacy.