Antimicrobial Activity and Potential of Olive Leaf Extract as a Topical Agent to Combat Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA Strains: An In Vitro Evaluation.

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent bacteria in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Multidrug-resistant strain emergence, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), highlights the need for alternative treatments.

Objectives

This study investigates the antimicrobial properties of olive leaf extract (OLE) and describes an epidemiological profiling of patients with SSTI who may benefit from it.

Methods

OLE was tested in two reference strains, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) ATCC 29213 and MRSA ATCC 700699, and in 126 clinical isolates from patients with SSTIs according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results

The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged from 3.12% to 6.25% w/v for MSSA and 1.56% to 3.12% for MRSA. The lethal curve showed a reduction of 6 log10CFU/mL after two hours of incubation. Most of the 126 clinical samples (103 MSSA and 23 MRSA) came from skin lesions, surgical wounds, and ulcers. Over 90% of MSSA strains were resistant to less than five antibiotics, while 82% of MRSA strains were resistant to more than six. Penicillins demonstrated the lowest susceptibility rate (19.8%), whereas linezolid, daptomycin, pristinamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, teicoplanin, vancomycin, and OLE exhibited 100% susceptibility. No growth was observed for all clinical strains with OLE at ≥6.25% w/v.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that OLE could become a promising alternative treatment for skin infections, particularly in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance.