Ultraviolet A/blue light-emitting diode therapy for vulvovaginal candidiasis: a case presentation

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a frequent infection of the female genitourinary tract. It is considered the second most common genital infection in women, after bacterial vaginosis. VVC is treated with oral or topical azole derivatives. However, these agents may lead to adverse reactions and their chronic use might lead to resistance to antifungal agents. Given that the ultraviolet A/blue light-emitting diode (LED) is an electromagnetic radiation source with antimicrobial properties, it is hypothesized that this resource may be a non-drug alternative to the treatment of vulvovaginitis. A technical/experimental safety test was conducted to characterize the light source spectrum and temperature generation of the device, followed by a pilot study in a 52-year-old patient with a clinical diagnosis of VVC confirmed by culture and examination of fresh vaginal samples, owing to the presence of lumpy vaginal discharge and a complaint of pruritus. The vulva and vagina were exposed to 401 ± 5 nm ultraviolet A/blue LED irradiation in a single session, divided into two applications. A reassessment was performed 21 days after the treatment. The light-emitting device had a visible spectrum, in the violet and blue ranges, and a maximum temperature increase of 7 °C. During the reassessment, the culture was found to be negative for fungus, and the signs and symptoms of the patient had disappeared. A light-emitting device with a spectrum in the range of 401 ± 5 nm could potentially be an alternative treatment modality for women with VVC, as it led to the resolution of clinical and microbiological problems in our patient.