Tea Tree Oil Treatment of MRSA: Difference between revisions

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
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==Section 2==
==Benefits==
<br>Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.<br>
<br>Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.<br>



Revision as of 22:47, 18 March 2013

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Introduction


Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem as an increasing number of pathogens is becoming less susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. The increasing difficulty of treating these pathogens underscores the importance of discovering alternative anti-microbial treatments. One potential alternative anti-microbial agent is tea tree oil, the essential oil derived from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. The topical application of tea tree oil has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a number of conditions, including acne and lice. Recent clinical studies indicate that tea tree oil can also treat skin infections of drug-resistant bacteria, including the staph infection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Tea tree oil's bacteriocidal and bacteriostatic effects make this plant extract a plausible addition or supplement to a MRSA treatment plan.

MRSA is a Gram-positive coccus-shaped anaerobe that ... MRSA poses a public health risk as it is commonly contracted in healthcare and community settings and cannot be treated with common antibiotics.

Tea tree oil...



Magnified 20,000X, this colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts a grouping of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Publicly available by the CDC.

Mechanism of Action


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Benefits


Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Section 3


Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Conclusion


Overall paper length should be 3,000 words, with at least 3 figures.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Karen Leung, a student of Nora Sullivan in BIOL187S (Microbial Life) in The Keck Science Department of the Claremont Colleges Spring 2013.