Excellent antibacterial activity of Slovak honeys on bacteria mostly infecting chronic wounds

• Published in: Bratislavské lékarské listy Vol. 122; no. 7; pp. 519 - 525
• Main Authors: Zemanova, M, Slobodnikova, L, Cambal, M, Labas, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2021
• ISSN: 0006-9248
• DOI: 10.4149/BLL_2021_084

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF STUDYChronic wounds are commonly colonized by various bacterial species and colonization frequently turns into wound infection, severely impairing healing process. With increasing antimicrobial resistance, the antimicrobial treatment of chronic wounds may be extremely challenging. Rediscovery of old and forgotten antimicrobial therapeutic options, such as apitherapy, may contribute to solving the problem of incurable chronic wound infections. Aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of four kinds of Slovak honey from ecological beekeeping against the most common bacterial species contaminating and infecting chronic wounds, and to compare these antimicrobial activities with those of the approved medical-grade Manuka honey. The impact of honey sterilisation methods and long-lasting storage on the bactericidal activity was also examined. MATERIAL AND METHODSAntimicrobial activity of honey was detected against 7 bacterial collection strains by broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility test according to EUCAST. The results were statistically analysed by Fisherꞌs exact test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSSlovak ecologically produced honey samples demonstrated an excellent in vitro antibacterial activity, superior to the monofloral medical-grade Manuka honey activity. Neither the gamma-irradiation, nor the three-year-long storage had impact on the bactericidal activity of the tested honey (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 53).