Evaluation of the effectiveness of tea tree oil in treatment of Acanthamoeba infection

Abstract

Eye diseases caused by amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba are usually chronic and severe, and their treatment is prolonged and not very effective. The difficulties associated with therapy have led to attempts at finding alternative treatment methods. Particularly popular is searching for cures among drugs made of plants. However, no substances with total efficacy in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis have been identified.Results of our semi in vivo studies of tea tree oil simulating eyeball infection demonstrated 100% effectiveness in the case of both trophozoites and cysts of amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba. The action of tea tree oil indicates that this is the first substance with a potential ability to quickly and effectively remove the amoebae from the eye. Tea tree oil has the ability to penetrate tissues, which allows it to destroy amoebae in both the shallow and deep layers of the cornea. The present research into the use of tea tree oil in the therapy of Acanthamoeba infection is the first study of this type in parasitology. It offers tremendous potential for effective treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis and other diseases caused by these protozoa.

Keywords: Acanthamoebiasis; Experimental therapy; Tea tree oil.

Fig. 1

Amoebae and the traces left by their movement across the agar prior to adding the oil

Fig. 2

Amoebae and the traces left by their movement across the agar covered with bacteria 30 min after administration of tea tree oil

Fig. 3

Traces left by the amoebae and their movement across the agar covered with bacteria 90 min after administration of tea tree oil