title: Synergism and postantibiotic effect of tobramycin and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
abstract: The application of antimicrobial combinations may address the rising resistance to established classes of both systemic and topical agents and their clinical relevance is related to the presence of a significant postantibiotic effect (PAE). We investigated the effectiveness in vitro of the association between tobramycin and tea tree oil (TTO) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentrations, the bacterial killing and the PAE of tobramycin and TTO were determined both singly and in combination against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. A synergistic interaction was observed against both strains tested: the mean PAEs were 1.3 and 1.7h for tobramycin against E. coli and S. aureus respectively, 10.8h for tobramycin and TTO (0.05%) against E. coli, 10.4h and 17.4h against S. aureus for tobramycin and TTO (0.25 and 0.50%, respectively). Longer PASMEs were observed with S. aureus after TTO/tobramycin exposure. In vitro interactions can improve the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antibiotic and may contribute for the development of novel topical agents for the treatment of skin lesions including conjunctiva and respiratory infections by inhalation.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Biological Department, University of Messina, Vill. SS. Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Arrigo
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ginestra
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mandalari
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Furneri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bisignano
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D031650:Melaleuca / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; D014031:Tobramycin