A randomized, controlled trial of tea tree topical preparations versus a standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization

J Hosp Infect. 2004 Apr;56(4):283-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2004.01.008.

Abstract

Two topical MRSA eradication regimes were compared in hospital patients: a standard treatment included mupirocin 2% nasal ointment, chlorhexidine gluconate 4% soap, silver sulfadiazine 1% cream versus a tea tree oil regimen, which included tea tree 10% cream, tea tree 5% body wash, both given for five days. One hundred and fourteen patients received standard treatment and 56 (49%) were cleared of MRSA carriage. One hundred and ten received tea tree oil regimen and 46 (41%) were cleared. There was no significant difference between treatment regimens (Fisher's exact test; P = 0.0286). Mupirocin was significantly more effective at clearing nasal carriage (78%) than tea tree cream (47%; P = 0.0001) but tea tree treatment was more effective than chlorhexidine or silver sulfadiazine at clearing superficial skin sites and skin lesions. The tea tree preparations were effective, safe and well tolerated and could be considered in regimens for eradication of MRSA carriage.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Carrier State / drug therapy
  • Chlorhexidine / administration & dosage
  • Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Mupirocin / administration & dosage
  • Silver Sulfadiazine / administration & dosage
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Tea Tree Oil / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Mupirocin
  • chlorhexidine gluconate
  • Chlorhexidine
  • Silver Sulfadiazine