Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Manuka oil stops dog skin bacteria and biofilms in lab tests
By Song, Chi-Youn et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2013·The Research Institute for Veterinary Science, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: In vitro efficacy of the essential oil from Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) on antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that manuka oil, derived from the Leptospermum scoparium plant, showed strong effectiveness against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a common cause of skin and ear infections in dogs. This oil was tested on various strains of the bacteria, including those resistant to common antibiotics. The results indicated that manuka oil could significantly reduce bacterial growth and biofilm formation, making it a promising alternative treatment for infections caused by both resistant and non-resistant strains. While further clinical studies are needed, this could be a helpful option for pet owners dealing with stubborn skin or ear infections in their dogs.
People also search for: dog skin infection treatment · manuka oil for dog ear infection · antibiotic-resistant dog infection solutions
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common pathogen of skin and ear infections in dogs. The widespread and rapid emergence of meticillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) has created therapeutic challenges in veterinary medicine and the need for alternative treatments. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) against S. pseudintermedius. METHODS: This study was performed using S. pseudintermedius strains isolated from dogs with skin and ear infections collected throughout Korea between 2009 and 2011. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of manuka oil against 39 MRSP and 11 meticillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) strains was analysed by measuring minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using the agar dilution method and biofilm inhibition activity as assessed by the colorimetric microtitre plate assay. RESULTS: Our results indicated that manuka oil had excellent activity against all bacterial isolates. The MICs for MRSP and MSSP to manuka oil were in the range of 2(-9) to 2(-6) and 2(-9) to 2(-7) % (v/v), respectively. Manuka oil was a potent inhibitor of S. pseudintermedius biofilm formation, and the majority of bacteria decreased by >50%. No significant differences were observed in the MICs or biofilm formation between the MRSP and MSSP strains. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest that manuka oil has the potential to be a useful therapeutic option for treating superficial infections caused by MRSP and MSSP; further clinical investigations are required.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23772881/