The battle against multi-resistant strains: Renaissance of antimicrobial essential oils as a promising force to fight hospital-acquired infections.
Hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to be major health concerns worldwide. Particularly problematic is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its ability to cause severe soft tissue, bone or implant infections. First used by the Australian Aborigines, Tea tree oil and Eucalyptus oil (and several other essential oils) have each demonstrated promising efficacy against several bacteria and have been used clinically against multi-resistant strains. Several common and hospital-acquired bacterial and yeast isolates (6 Staphylococcus strains including MRSA, 4 Streptococcus strains and 3 Candida strains including Candida krusei) were tested for their susceptibility for Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Thyme white, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Grapefruit, Clove Bud, Sandalwood, Peppermint, Kunzea and Sage oil with the agar diffusion test. Olive oil, Paraffin oil, Ethanol (70%), Povidone iodine, Chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) served as controls. Large prevailing effective zones of inhibition were observed for Thyme white, Lemon, Lemongrass and Cinnamon oil. The other oils also showed considerable efficacy. Remarkably, almost all tested oils demonstrated efficacy against hospital-acquired isolates and reference strains, whereas Olive and Paraffin oil from the control group produced no inhibition. As proven in vitro, essential oils represent a cheap and effective antiseptic topical treatment option even for antibiotic-resistant strains as MRSA and antimycotic-resistant Candida species.
Warnke
Patrick H
PH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany. warnke@mkg.uni-kiel.de
Becker
Stephan T
ST
Podschun
Rainer
R
Sivananthan
Sureshan
S
Springer
Ingo N
IN
Russo
Paul A J
PA
Wiltfang
Joerg
J
Fickenscher
Helmut
H
Sherry
Eugene
E
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D040141:Staphylococcaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D013289:Streptococcaceae / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils