Photodynamic inactivation for the control of disease-transmitting vectors: mechanisms, photosensitizers, and biological targets -a review.
GARBUIO, Matheus; SILVA, Kamila Jessie Sammarro; DIAS, Lucas Danilo; BAGNATO, Vanderlei Salvador; LIMA, Alessandra Ramos.
GARBUIO, Matheus; SILVA, Kamila Jessie Sammarro; DIAS, Lucas Danilo; BAGNATO, Vanderlei Salvador; LIMA, Alessandra Ramos.
Abstract: Climate change has expanded the geographic distribution and increased the prevalence of vector-borne infectious diseases worldwide. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the intensification of extreme weather events favor vector survival, reproduction, and dispersal, undermining the effectiveness of conventional control strategies. Chemical and biological insecticides face increasing limitations due to resistance development, reduced environmental stability, and ecological concerns. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) has emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable vector control due to its multi-target oxidative mechanism and intrinsically limited environmental persistence. The technique relies on the activation of photosensitizers by light in the presence of molecular oxygen (O2), leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of inducing oxidative damage in essential biomolecules and resulting in vector inactivation. Unlike conventional insecticides, photosensitizers (PS) may undergo photodegradation after activation, minimizing environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and non-target effects, while reducing the likelihood of resistance development. This review synthesizes current evidence on the application of PDI against vectors relevant to human and animal health, including insects and arachnids, with emphasis on mechanisms of action, classes of PS, light sources, and experimental conditions reported in laboratory and semi-field studies. Additionally, we examine how environmental variables influenced by climate change, such as temperature, solar radiation, precipitation patterns, and water turbidity, may affect photodynamic efficiency under field conditions. A literature analysis was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases (2021-2025). In sum, we identify key research gaps, methodological challenges, and future perspectives for integrating PDI into climate-resilient integrated vector management strategies.
@article={003299833,author = {GARBUIO, Matheus; SILVA, Kamila Jessie Sammarro; DIAS, Lucas Danilo; BAGNATO, Vanderlei Salvador; LIMA, Alessandra Ramos.},title={Photodynamic inactivation for the control of disease-transmitting vectors: mechanisms, photosensitizers, and biological targets -a review},journal={Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B},note={v. 278, p. 113434-1-113434-8},year={2026}}