Percutaneous treatment of chronic MRSA osteomyelitis with a novel plant-derived antiseptic.
BACKGROUND
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE, are an increasing problem world-wide, causing intractable wound infections. Complex phytochemical extracts such as tea tree oil and eucalypt-derived formulations have been shown to have strong bactericidal activity against MRSA in vitro. Polytoxinol (PT) antimicrobial, is the trade name of a range of antimicrobial preparations in solution, ointment and cream form.


METHODS
We report the first use of this drug, administered percutaneously, via calcium sulphate pellets (Osteoset,TM), into bone, to treat an intractable MRSA infection of the lower tibia in an adult male.


CONCLUSIONS
Over a three month period his symptoms resolved with a healing response on x-ray and with a reduced CRP.
Sherry
E
E
OR Design Unit, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia. esherry@bigpond.com
Boeck
H
H
Warnke
P H
PH
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004343:Drug Implants; D005052:Eucalyptus; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004343:Drug Implants; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D028321:Plant Preparations; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; C012384:ingalipt