Honey could be used to fight MRSA

Manuka honey could be used to help fight infections which have become resistant to treatment with antibiotics, scientists said.

Scientists at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff said their work on streptococci and pseudomonads has shown that Manuka honey inhibits the bacteria from attaching to tissues, an essential step at the start of an infection.

Inhibiting bacteria from attaching to tissues also blocks the formation of biofilms, slimy layers of bacteria which protect bacteria from antibiotics and allow them to cause persistent infections.

Honey has long been used as a traditional remedy for wound infections but the mechanism behind its antimicrobial properties is unclear.

Manuka honey is made by bees from the nectar of the Manuka tree in New Zealand, and is already used in modern licensed wound-care products around the world.

Research by the same group of scientists suggests the honey may also help in the fight against the ever rising number of bacteria that are becoming resistant to treatment with antibiotics.

"Other work in our lab has shown that honey can make MRSA more sensitive to antibiotics such as oxacillin - effectively reversing antibiotic resistance, said Professor Rose Cooper, who led the study.

"This indicates that existing antibiotics may be more effective against drug-resistant infections if used in combination with Manuka honey.

Bacteria are also unlikely to become honey-resistant, she said.

She added: "We need innovative and effective ways of controlling wound infections that are unlikely to contribute to increased antimicrobial resistance.

"The use of a topical agent to eradicate bacteria from wounds is potentially cheaper and may well improve antibiotic therapy in the future."

The findings were presented at the spring meeting of the Society for General Microbiology in Harrogate.

This article was published on Wed 13 April 2011