The effect of wild thyme and bergamot essential oils on the growth of Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia conorii caspia in Vero cell line

Coastal region of Croatia, a favourite holiday destination yearly visited by millions of people is known as an endemic area for Rickettsia conorii. Moreover, several other pathogenic rickettsiae including R. slovaca were detected in Croatian ticks [1]. Essential oils, complex mixtures of secondary plant metabolites of low molecular weight were confirmed to have antimicrobial properties against wide range of extracellular and intracellular bacteria including multidrug resistant strains [2,3]. As their effect on obligate intracellular tick borne pathogens has yet to be elucidated, the aim of this study was to test the influence of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oils on the growth of Rickettsia slovaca [4] and R.
Source: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research