- Email: [email protected]
Topical application of a new formulation of eucalyptus oil phytochemical clears methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
346
AJIC October 2001
Letters to the Editor
ty?" 8 (33%) required no gown; 15 (63%) required a gown with no cuffs; and 1 facility (4%) required a gown with cuffs. As to what clothing facilities allowed patients to wear in the OR, 11 facilities (46%) allowed all clothing; 2 (8%) allowed all clothing but no shoes; 6 (25%) allowed underwear and socks only; 3 (13%) allowed socks only; and 2 (8%) allowed all clothing below the waist. All facilities replied that no problems had arisen because of patient clothing being worn in the OR, although 1 facility noted it was difficult to enforce the policy. These results suggest a change from the traditional practice of patients wearing only hospital provided gowns in the surgical suite. Research into whether these practices represent a risk factor for surgical site infections is needed. Karen K. Hoffmann, MS Eva P. Clontz, MEd William A. Rutala, PhD, MPH David J.Weber, MD, MPH School of Medicine University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Reference
1. Poole EL. Ambulatory surgery: the growth of an industry. J Perianesth Nuts 1999;14:20I-6. doi:10.1067/mic.2001.117119
T O P I C A L A P P L I C A T I O N OF A N E W F O R M U L A T I O N OF E U C A L Y P T U S OIL P H Y T O C H E M I C A L C L E A R S M E T H I C I L L I N - R E S I S T A N T STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS I N F E C T I O N
To the Editor: We are all aware that the increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is associated with increasing mortality rates, increased hospitalization rates, and longer treatmentto-discharge times. ,,2 Antibiotics seem to have failed us. We suggest that physicians move out of the lab and look a r o u n d in Australia; 70% of our plants are eucalyptus trees (over 500 species), also called gum trees and tea-tree plants. Our original inhabitants, the aboriginal people, knew of the medicinal benefits of its leaf oil (eucalyptus oil); now we do as well. We present 2 case studies showing the topical use of eucalyptus leaf oil extract (PT) formulation of phytochemicals derived directly from the plant eucalyptus globulus, together with bioethanol. Its effective components are Eucalyptus, Melaleuca (tea-tree), Thymus (thyme), Syzygium (clove), and citrus extracts for the treatment of MRSA infection of bone. Case 1. A 17-year-old m a n who was injured in a m o t o r vehicle accident required open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the pelvis and femur,
followed later by intramedullary nailing of the femur. Chronic postoperative osteomyelitis of the right femur with a draining sinus failed to respond to ciprofloxacin and rifampicin during 2 years of antibiotic therapy. MRSA was isolated. Removal of the intramedullary nail and wiping of the infection site with PT was followed by application of PT cream (1.0 g daily) to the sinus for 5 days. No antibiotics were used during this period. Inflammation subsided markedly over 2 to 3 days; the sinus was dry at 7 days, with healthy granulation evident. The w o u n d had fully healed at 2 weeks. No evidence existed of infection after 32 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levelsAO" have remained normal. Case 2. A 42-year-old m a n who was injured by a machine that fell on him in a work accident sustained a mid foot fracture and dislocation. After open-reduction and internal fixation with k-wires and 3.5 m m screws, the wound healed. The hardware was removed at 8 weeks. Infection at the site of the injury then became apparent, and MRSA was confirmed by culture. The infected tissue was surgically debrided. PT liquid (0.5 g daily) was applied to the wound with a cotton bud for 3 weeks. No antibiotic was used. Marked improvement in the general condition of the patient and reduction of inflammation at the infection site were evident 5 days after commencement of PT treatment. The wound had closed by 21 days, and cultures at this time showed no MRSA. The patient was still clear of infection at 12 weeks. Our findings suggest that formal clinical trials of eucalyptus oil m a y be warranted in view of the in vitro 3 data known. Eugene Sherry, MD, FRACS (Orth) Department of Orthopedic Surgery University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital Harry Boeck Phytochemist Eucanol Pry Ltd Patrick H Warnke, Dr Med, PhD Dept Oral Maxillo-Facial Surgery University of Kiel, Germany References
1. LernerSA. Clinical impact of antibiotic resistance. Adv Exp Med Biol 1998;456:7-15. 2. Kusachi S, Sumiyama Y, Nagao J, Kawai K, Arima Y, Yoshida Y, et al. New methods of control against post-operative methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Surg Today 1999;29:724-9. 3. Anderson JN, Fennessy PA. Can tea-tree (Melaleucaalternifolia) oil prevent MRSA?Med J Aust 2000;173:489. doi: 10.1067/mic.2001.117403
AJIC October 2001
Letters to the Editor
ty?" 8 (33%) required no gown; 15 (63%) required a gown with no cuffs; and 1 facility (4%) required a gown with cuffs. As to what clothing facilities allowed patients to wear in the OR, 11 facilities (46%) allowed all clothing; 2 (8%) allowed all clothing but no shoes; 6 (25%) allowed underwear and socks only; 3 (13%) allowed socks only; and 2 (8%) allowed all clothing below the waist. All facilities replied that no problems had arisen because of patient clothing being worn in the OR, although 1 facility noted it was difficult to enforce the policy. These results suggest a change from the traditional practice of patients wearing only hospital provided gowns in the surgical suite. Research into whether these practices represent a risk factor for surgical site infections is needed. Karen K. Hoffmann, MS Eva P. Clontz, MEd William A. Rutala, PhD, MPH David J.Weber, MD, MPH School of Medicine University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Reference
1. Poole EL. Ambulatory surgery: the growth of an industry. J Perianesth Nuts 1999;14:20I-6. doi:10.1067/mic.2001.117119
T O P I C A L A P P L I C A T I O N OF A N E W F O R M U L A T I O N OF E U C A L Y P T U S OIL P H Y T O C H E M I C A L C L E A R S M E T H I C I L L I N - R E S I S T A N T STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS I N F E C T I O N
To the Editor: We are all aware that the increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is associated with increasing mortality rates, increased hospitalization rates, and longer treatmentto-discharge times. ,,2 Antibiotics seem to have failed us. We suggest that physicians move out of the lab and look a r o u n d in Australia; 70% of our plants are eucalyptus trees (over 500 species), also called gum trees and tea-tree plants. Our original inhabitants, the aboriginal people, knew of the medicinal benefits of its leaf oil (eucalyptus oil); now we do as well. We present 2 case studies showing the topical use of eucalyptus leaf oil extract (PT) formulation of phytochemicals derived directly from the plant eucalyptus globulus, together with bioethanol. Its effective components are Eucalyptus, Melaleuca (tea-tree), Thymus (thyme), Syzygium (clove), and citrus extracts for the treatment of MRSA infection of bone. Case 1. A 17-year-old m a n who was injured in a m o t o r vehicle accident required open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the pelvis and femur,
followed later by intramedullary nailing of the femur. Chronic postoperative osteomyelitis of the right femur with a draining sinus failed to respond to ciprofloxacin and rifampicin during 2 years of antibiotic therapy. MRSA was isolated. Removal of the intramedullary nail and wiping of the infection site with PT was followed by application of PT cream (1.0 g daily) to the sinus for 5 days. No antibiotics were used during this period. Inflammation subsided markedly over 2 to 3 days; the sinus was dry at 7 days, with healthy granulation evident. The w o u n d had fully healed at 2 weeks. No evidence existed of infection after 32 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levelsAO" have remained normal. Case 2. A 42-year-old m a n who was injured by a machine that fell on him in a work accident sustained a mid foot fracture and dislocation. After open-reduction and internal fixation with k-wires and 3.5 m m screws, the wound healed. The hardware was removed at 8 weeks. Infection at the site of the injury then became apparent, and MRSA was confirmed by culture. The infected tissue was surgically debrided. PT liquid (0.5 g daily) was applied to the wound with a cotton bud for 3 weeks. No antibiotic was used. Marked improvement in the general condition of the patient and reduction of inflammation at the infection site were evident 5 days after commencement of PT treatment. The wound had closed by 21 days, and cultures at this time showed no MRSA. The patient was still clear of infection at 12 weeks. Our findings suggest that formal clinical trials of eucalyptus oil m a y be warranted in view of the in vitro 3 data known. Eugene Sherry, MD, FRACS (Orth) Department of Orthopedic Surgery University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital Harry Boeck Phytochemist Eucanol Pry Ltd Patrick H Warnke, Dr Med, PhD Dept Oral Maxillo-Facial Surgery University of Kiel, Germany References
1. LernerSA. Clinical impact of antibiotic resistance. Adv Exp Med Biol 1998;456:7-15. 2. Kusachi S, Sumiyama Y, Nagao J, Kawai K, Arima Y, Yoshida Y, et al. New methods of control against post-operative methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Surg Today 1999;29:724-9. 3. Anderson JN, Fennessy PA. Can tea-tree (Melaleucaalternifolia) oil prevent MRSA?Med J Aust 2000;173:489. doi: 10.1067/mic.2001.117403