Photobiomodulation therapy and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for orofacial lesions in patients with COVID-19: A case series

Abstract

Oral lesions related to the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been increasingly described; however, clinical and epidemiological information is still scant. Although a diversity of therapeutic strategies for the management of these lesions are present in the literature, one can note a lack of standardization and doubtful effectiveness. Thus, the present study aimed to report a series of cases in which a combination of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was used for orofacial lesions in patients suffering from COVID-19. It was noted, in all cases, a marked improvement in tissue repair and pain relief within a few days; moreover, the patients recovered their orofacial functions satisfactorily. Based on the present series of cases and having in mind the conspicuous lack of information on the different aspects of COVID-19, the protocol which combined aPDT with PMBT seemed to be effective in the management of COVID-19-related orofacial lesions.

Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; COVID-19; Oral manifestations; Photobiomodulation therapy; SARS-CoV-2.

Fig. 1

(A) case 1 initial clinical presentation, showing the lip lesions covered by crust, (B) 24 h after phototherapies, (C) 72 h after phototherapies, (D) case 2 initial clinical presentation, showing a small lip lesion – right side, (E) initial clinical presentation, showing a small lip lesion – left side ini, (F) 24 h after phototherapies, (G) case 3 initial clinical presentation, showing lip lesions covered by crust, (H) methylene blue applied onto oral mucosa for aPDT technique, (I) 72 h after phototherapies, (J) case 4 initial clinical presentation, (K) 4 days after phototherapies.