Could a blue dye and laser zap abscess bacteria?
NCT ID NCT02240498
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early study tested whether a dye called methylene blue, activated by a laser, can safely sterilize deep abscess cavities during standard drainage. Twenty-one adults with abscesses requiring drainage received the treatment. The main goal was to check for safety issues like tissue damage or dye leakage, not yet to prove it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- methylene blue
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new way to kill bacteria in deep abscesses during drainage, potentially reducing the need for repeated procedures or stronger antibiotics.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 safety study with only 21 participants. It is not designed to prove effectiveness, and there are risks like damage to surrounding tissue or adverse reactions to methylene blue.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York, 14642, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.