MRSA (Mersa) Questions

Tea Tree Oil-containing Beauty Products may Contribute to MRSA Increase

Link: Tea Tree Oil-containing Beauty Products may Contribute to MRSA Increase.

Next time you reach for a cosmetic that contains tea tree oil, give a second thought. You may unwittingly be giving a boost to ‘bad’ microorganisms- to evolve into stronger, tougher ones. So says a research published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and led by professor David McDowell of the University of Ulster. Accordingly, the scientists who grew bacteria such MRSA, E.coli and salmonella in low dose concentrations of tea tree oil found that they became more resistant to antibiotics and also capable of causing worse infections. Tea tree oil, taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, native to Australia, is commonly used in many products including shampoos, body lotions and toiletries. It is well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. However, there is no legislation-requiring manufacturer to state the concentration of the oil in any of the products. According to the researchers, low dose tea tree oil found in beauty products, which is not strong enough to kill the microbes, actually turns on their defense system, resulting in tougher ones of them or ‘superbugs’.

Tea Tree Oil Effective against MRSA?

Link: Journal of Medical Microbiology.

    The susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus [meticillin-resistant (MRSA) and meticillin-sensitive (MSSA)] and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), which respectively form part of the transient and commensal skin flora, to tea-tree oil (TTO) was compared using broth microdilution and quantitative in vitro time–kill test methods. MRSA and MSSA isolates were significantly less susceptible than CoNS isolates, as measured by both MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration. A significant decrease in the mean viable count of all isolates in comparison with the control was seen at each time interval in time–kill assays. However, the only significant difference in the overall mean log10 reduction in viable count between the groups of isolates was between CoNS and MSSA at 3 h, with CoNS isolates demonstrating a significantly lower mean reduction. To provide a better simulation of in vivo conditions on the skin, where bacteria are reported to grow as microcolonies encased in glycocalyx, the bactericidal activity of TTO against isolates grown as biofilms was also compared. Biofilms formed by MSSA and MRSA isolates were completely eradicated following exposure to 5 % TTO for 1 h. In contrast, of the biofilms formed by the nine CoNS isolates tested, only five were completely killed, although a reduction in viable count was apparent for the other four isolates. These results suggest that TTO exerts a greater bactericidal activity against biofilm-grown MRSA and MSSA isolates than against some biofilm-grown CoNS isolates.

Olive leaf an MRSA antidote?

Link: $$

     The article, "Skin infections caused by drug-resistant staph germs on rise" (BDN, Aug. 17), caught my attention because I have information helpful to this problem. The Upjohn Co. conducted laboratory tests of crystallized calcium elenolate that is present in the oleurupein of olive leaves and it proved effective against MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus. This hydrolysized compound (calcium elenolate) is powdered and encapsulated as a food supplement. The pressure has been taken off pharmaceutical industry researchers who are no longer coming up with new drugs to intervene in the antibiotic-resistance cycle. The American medical consumers have olive leaf extract. Elmer Morin Limestone

The medicinal oil that works on MRSA

Link: Times Online.

      A randomised control trial of tea tree topical oil preparations comparing it with the standard regime was carried out at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. The trial measured the relative ability of the two regimes to clear MRSA (the antibiotic resistant bacteria found in hospitals) colonisation from various sites. The tea tree oil compared favourably to modern pharmaceutical skin preparations. The oil was slightly less effective in clearing noses and throats, appreciably more effective in clearing armpits, groins and perhaps surprisingly skin sores of the potentially lethal Staphylococcus aureus. The results were published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.

(Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties

Link: Clinical Microbiology Reviews

     Complementary and alternative medicines such as tea tree (melaleuca) oil have become increasingly popular in recent decades. This essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is now available worldwide both as neat oil and as an active component in an array of products. The primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the oil. This review summarizes recent developments in our understanding of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the oil and its components, as well as clinical efficacy. Specific mechanisms of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action are reviewed, and the toxicity of the oil is briefly discussed.

Grapefruit seed and MRSA remedies

Link: The Daily Record

Grapefruit seed extract has been used to combat bird flu in the past and scientific studies have shown it is also effective against MRSA. Anna, who lives with support worker husband Michael, can ' t believe its healing properties are not more widely known. She sells it to owners of racing pigeons to help fight infection and says it is also beneficial for humans,who use it for conditions ranging from athlete' s foot to mouth ulcers and eczema. There have been a number of scientific studies showing it kills bacteria. But unlike synthetic antibiotics it doesn ' t take out friendly bacteria. And it covers a broad spectrum of ailments rather than traditional antibiotics that tend to work on specific areas. "So many people have comeback to me to say how much grapefruit seed extract has helped them, " she says.

Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Link: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4 , CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, CD4 /CD8  ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-{gamma} and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P > 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4 /CD8  ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8  lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

MRSA kills 5000 every year but Euro red tape halts cheap 'cure'

Link: Evening Times.

MRSA kills 5000 every year but Euro red tape halts cheap 'cure'
RED tape is stopping vital research into common oils that could destroy the killer MRSA hospital superbug. More than 5000 people - including an estimated 400 Scots - die every year from the bug. A study funded by £40,000 from veteran DJ Sir Jimmy Savile found a mixture of aromatherapy oils could kill MRSA and other infections. However, the researchers today said they couldn't start clinical trials because of Euro legislation. The doctors and nurses at Manchester University found the three common oils were more effective than existing treatments because they had a complex mix of chemical compounds.

Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Link: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4 , CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, CD4 /CD8  ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-{gamma} and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4 /CD8  ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8  lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

Is tea tree oil effective at eradicating MRSA colonization?

Link: Is tea tree oil effective at eradicating MRSA colonization? A review..

In vitro studies show that tea tree oil is capable of killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a laboratory setting. This review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was undertaken to find out whether it is effective at eradicating MRSA colonization compared to standard mupirocin-based regimens in colonized patients. A wide range of databases and internet sources were searched to identify published and unpublished studies. Two RCTs were found that researched the effectiveness of tea tree oil preparations against MRSA. One small RCT (n = 30) showed a large but non-significant improvement at eradicating MRSA compared to traditional treatment, whereas a larger study (n = 224) demonstrated little difference in rates of eradication overall (41% for tea tree and 49% for mupirocin, p = 0.286). However, the larger study found that those with nasal colonization receiving a tea tree regimen were more likely to remain colonized with MRSA in the nose (absolute risk increase 31%, p<0.001). Currently there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of tea tree oil in clinical practice for eradication of MRSA colonization.