Tea Tree Oil Treatment of MRSA
Introduction
Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. As more pathogens become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, they become more difficult for medical practitioners to treat. The impotence of common antibiotics underscores the importance of determining alternative anti-microbial treatments. Studies indicate the effectiveness of tea tree oil as treatment for infections of drug-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Tea tree oil is the essential oil derived from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has been topically applied for centuries as a folk remedy for acne, lice, athlete's foot, and a number of other conditions. Clinical studies indicate that tea tree oil can also treat skin infection caused by MRSA. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, oxacillin, and methicillin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MRSA is a public health problem as it is commonly contracted in healthcare and community settings. Tea tree oil's bacteriocidal and bacteriostatic effects make this plant extract a plausible addition or supplement to a MRSA treatment plan.
Staphyloccocus aureus, also known as staph bacteria or MRSA, is a Gram-positive coccus-shaped anaerobic bacterium. MRSA often colonizes on the skin or nostrils of healthy individuals, and is relatively harmless at these sites. If S. aureus enters the body (e.g., wounds, cuts), it may cause infections. In such instances, the MRSA infection may range from mild (e.g., pimples)to life-threatening (e.g., infection of bloodstream, joints, or bones). MRSA is spread through contact and most commonly contracted in public settings.
Tea tree oil is a plant extract used in traditional medicine as a topical antiseptic and oral rinse. It can treat bacterial and fungal infections. Tea tree oil's anti-microbial properties are attributed to its composition of terpenes, a class of chemicals.
Composition and Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
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Antimicrobial Mechanism of Action
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Side Effects
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Conclusion
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References
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/MRSA/Pages/Introduction.aspx http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004520/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/113.html http://epubs.scu.edu.au/cpcg_pubs/482/
Edited by Karen Leung, a student of Nora Sullivan in BIOL187S (Microbial Life) in The Keck Science Department of the Claremont Colleges Spring 2013.
