Light-activated photodynamic compounds from Theralase destroy E. coli bacteria

Toronto, ON, Canada--After its announcement late last year that its photodynamic compounds work with light to destroy listeria bacteria, Theralase Technologies just reported that those compounds can also destroyEscherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, a widely prevalent disease causing bacteria. Theralase, who designs, develops, manufactures, and markets patented superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and biodestruction applications, says its patented Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) can be activated with light to destroy a host of harmful bacteria in clinical settings.

E. coli is one of the top four pathogens causing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that HAIs have led to $45 billion in healthcare costs annually and have resulted in nearly 100,000 deaths per year, making HAIs the fourth leading cause of death.

Arkady Mandel, chief scientific officer at Theralase, said, "Our research has repeatedly demonstrated that our Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) destruction of E. coli bacteria is effective and represents a significant opportunity in the area of disinfection and sterilization of bacterial pathogens that may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness."

Roger Dumoulin-White, president and CEO of Theralase, added, "We are encouraged that our patented Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) are proving effective in so many varied applications. Not only are these PDCs being shown to be effective in the destruction of cancer cells, but now they are also being shown to be effective in the destruction of various types of bacteria, including Listeria and E. coli. Commercialization of these technologies becomes more and more apparent, as our research and development progresses, allowing us the opportunity to introduce these technologies to the world in a variety of diverse applications."

SOURCE: Theralase; www.theralase.com/press/Theralase_Achieves_Success_in_Destruction_of_E__Coli_4.pdf