Positive Health Online

Abstract

SHERRY and colleagues, OR Design Unit, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia, esherry@bigpond.com, present the first report of treatment of chronic multidrug-resistant osteomyelitis with a novel plant-derived antiseptic.

Background

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular the 'superbug' Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA, are an increasingly pressing problem worldwide and can cause intractable wound infections. Fortunately, phytochemical extracts such as tea tree oil and eucalyptus-derived formulations have been shown to be active against MRSA in vitro.

Methodology

Polytoxinol antimicrobial (the trade name of a range of antimicrobial preparations) was administered percutaneously via calcium sulphate pellets, into bone, to treat an intractable MRSA infection of the lower tibia of an adult man.

Results

Over a 3 months period, the symptoms resolved with a healing response on X-ray and with a reduced CRP (an immunological marker of chronic infection).

Conclusion

This is the first demonstration of the efficacy of a plant-derived extract against the 'superbug' MRSA.

References

Sherry E, Boeck H, Warnke PH. Percutaneous treatment of chronic MRSA osteomyelitis with a novel plant-derived antiseptic. BMC Surgery 1 (1): 1, 2001.

Comment

This successful treatment of MRSA using a plant-derived antiseptic should be of great interest to the international medical community and all patients internationally at risk of mortality associated with MRSA hospital-acquired bacterial infection.