Blue (470nm) light kills MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus areus) in Vitro

In this study, an average of 90.4% of both US-300 (community acquired) and IS-853 (hospital acquired) strains of MRSA were killed within minutes of exposure to simple blue light. This should be all over the national and world news. Why isn’t it? Maybe people don’t know what it means. Here is what the study said,

“These significant levels of photo-destruction at low dosages indicate that irradiation with 470nm LED light energy may be a practical, inexpensive alternative to treatment with pharmacological agents, particularly in cases involving cutaneous and subcutanious MRSA infections that are susceptible to non-invasive types of radiation.”

Here’s what it means:

“significant levels of photo-destruction” – an average of 90.4% of MRSA bacteria experienced ‘death by light.’

“low dosages” – simple light was used, not low level laser light, not laser light, and it only took a few minutes of exposure to kill significant amounts of bacteria – 30% dying after just 100 seconds of exposure.

“irradiation” – Light shining on something. Light of any color from any source is actually powerful electromagnetic energy, or radiation, and so light of any color can also be called “radiation.” When you shine any light on something, its being irradiated. It’s not  as dangerous or expensive as it sounds. These two girls survive by daily high doses of 405-485nm (blue) ”irradiation.”

“470nm” – blue. That’s it. Click here for a more detailed explanation. A previous study was done with similar results with 405nm light, which is visible violet light, very close to UVA on the electromagnetic spectrum. The actual span of the light used in this case was 455-485nm. Since 405nm also worked, it stands to reason that all wavelengths from 405 through 485 would have the same effect. That is blue light, period.

“LED light energy” – as touched on above, all light is energy, the source does not matter. In this case, SLDs (superluminous diodes) were used, which are just the latest advancement in LED lighting – nothing special. LEDs are commonly used in medical research because they largely eliminate the factor of heat. Any blue light source that peaked around 470nm should have produced the same results.

“practical, inexpensive alternative to treatment with pharmacological agents” – easier and cheaper than drugs. They did not mention it’s also 100% natural, having no adverse side effects reported, non-invaisive, painless, simply administered at home… and it’s worth double mention – easy to obtain, easy to use, and very cheap.

“cases involving cutaneous and subcutanious MRSA infections that are susceptible to non-invasive types of radiation.” – cases of MRSA infections on and just beneath the surface of the skin, where the light is able to penetrate naturally.

So, to sum up:

Since simple blue light killed an average of 90% of MRSA bacteria in the lab, it may turn out to be a practical, inexpensive alternative to treatment with drugs for cases of MRSA infections of or just under the skin in humans.

I would not wait for further studies, FDA approval, or fancy marketing before I tried this out on myself or a loved one battling a MRSA infection on or just under the skin.

The antibacterial properties of blue light have been known for quite some time – in fact the FDA approved blue light to kill acne bacteria in 2002. There are many Acne Treatment Lights already available and in use today containing the same wavelengths used to kill MRSA, it would be very simple for them to be re-purposed immediately in the case of a MRSA infection of the skin not responding to antibiotics. It would also be good to have one of these lights around to disinfect everyday cuts, burns and bites as a matter of MRSA prevention.

Here are the two least expensive lights I know of proven to contain the wavelengths used in the blue light MRSA study, without UV.

GE Dichro-Color Blue – $52.95 – spans 400nm-485nm, peaks near 470nm
enLux Blue R30 LED Floodlight $89.95 – spans 460nm-485nm, peaks near 470nm

A Google search of “acne lights” will reveal more. Any blue light emitting wavelengths between 405nm and 485nm should have the same effect. Those near the 405nm range, such as 415nm, may have trace UVA, however, when faced with a MRSA infection, this is totally insignificant.

If I could not afford any of the above lights and my situation was critical, I would just go down to my local department store and purchase any light that shines blue, be it a party bulb, floodlight, fish tank light, or whatever. Any light that looks blue will contain wavelenghts between 400nm and 480nm, in one range or another. I would shine it on the effected area for 20 minutes daily and see what happens. It certainly could not hurt to try.

Here’s the link to the full study:

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/pho.2008.2413

More information on the antibacterial use of blue light at Sci\ART Global