title: In vitro activity of tea tree oil against Candida albicans mycelial conversion and other pathogenic fungi.
abstract: The antifungal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden (Myrtaceae) essential oil against yeasts (Candida spp., Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Debaryomyces hansenii) and dermatophytes (Microsporum spp. and Tricophyton spp.) is reported. We focused on the ability of tea tree oil to inhibit Candida albicans conversion from the yeast to the pathogenic mycelial form. Moreover we carried out broth microdilution test and contact tests to evaluate the killing time. M. alternifolia essential oil inhibited the conversion of C. albicans from yeast to the mycelial form at a concentration of 0.16% (v/v). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.12% to 0.50% (v/v) for yeasts and 0.12% to 1% (v/v) for dermatophytes; the cytocidal activity was generally expressed at the same concentration. These results, if considered along with the lipophilic nature of the oil which enables it to penetrate the skin, suggest it may be suitable for topical therapeutic use in the treatment of fungal mucosal and cutaneous infections.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: D'Auria
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Strippoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tecca
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Battinelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D025282:Mycelium / Q000187:drug effects*; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D020947:Tea Tree Oil