title: In vitro susceptibility of Madurella mycetomatis, prime agent of Madura foot, to tea tree oil and artemisinin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Eumycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis is treated with surgery and high doses of itraconazole and ketoconazole. These agents are toxic, and new therapies are required.
  
  
  METHODS
  MICs were determined for artemisinin and tea tree oil, two natural herbal compounds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Artemisinin was not active against M. mycetomatis, but tea tree oil did inhibit its growth. Since tea tree oil's prime component easily penetrates the skin, tea tree oil could be a useful agent in the treatment of eumycetoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tea tree oil is active in vitro against M. mycetomatis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. w.vandesande@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Wendy W J
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: van de Sande
authors.forename: Ahmed H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fahal
authors.forename: Thomas V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verbrugh
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Belkum
mesh_terms: D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020461:Madurella / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; C031327:artemisinin