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Tea tree oil: in vitro efficacy in otitis externa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

T B Farnan ,
J McCallum ,
A Awa ,
A D Khan  and
S J Hall
T B Farnan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
J McCallum
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
A Awa
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
A D Khan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
S J Hall
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of organisms causing otitis externa (OE) to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree oil (TTO).

Methods: Fifty-seven swabs were taken from the ears of 52 patients with OE for culture and sensitivity. A broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TTO for each organism.

Results: In 51 per cent of the swabs taken, pathogenic organisms were cultured. Of these cultures 71 per cent, both bacteria and yeast, were susceptible to TTO 2 per cent or less. The only organism showing resistance to TTO was Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however 25 per cent of these bacteria were sensitive.

Conclusion: Tea tree oil may have a role to play in the treatment of OE. However, more work needs to be done to enhance the anti-pseudomonal effect and to assess ototoxicity.

Keywords

Otitis ExternaTea Tree OilMicrobiology
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 119 , Issue 3 , March 2005 , pp. 198 - 201
Copyright
© 2005 Royal Society of Medicine Press

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