Health Spa Clays could hold MRSA treatment answers

Link: CLAS: News and Events.

     Haydel and Williams tested both of the French clays that Brunet de Courssou had been importing. One completely inhibited pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (often a problem as an opportunistic infection in burn wards) and Mycobacterium marinum (related to Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes Buruli ulcer disease). The clay was also found to partially inhibit the growth of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, including a multi-drug resistant variety. “The other clay actually helps the bacteria to grow,” Haydel adds. What makes one clay kill bacteria, and the other promote growth? And why do most clays tested have no effect? Research like that being done by Williams and Haydel can answer such questions. “Clay can be as variable as the bacteria we are studying. There is a lot to be learned yet,” Williams notes.