Effectiveness of honey on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
OBJECTIVE
Biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) have been shown to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). As well, honey has been used as an effective topical antimicrobial agent for years. Our objective is to determine the in vitro effect of honey against biofilms produced by PA and SA.


METHODS
In vitro testing of honey against bacterial biofilms.


METHODS
We used a previously established biofilm model to assess antibacterial activity of honey against 11 methicillin-susceptible SA (MSSA), 11 methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA), and 11 PA isolates. Honeys were tested against both planktonic and biofilm-grown bacteria.


RESULTS
Honey was effective in killing 100 percent of the isolates in the planktonic form. The bactericidal rates for the Sidr and Manuka honeys against MSSA, MRSA, and PA biofilms were 63-82 percent, 73-63 percent, and 91-91 percent, respectively. These rates were significantly higher (P<0.001) than those seen with single antibiotics commonly used against SA.


CONCLUSIONS
Honey, which is a natural, nontoxic, and inexpensive product, is effective in killing SA and PA bacterial biofilms. This intriguing observation may have important clinical implications and could lead to a new approach for treating refractory CRS.
Alandejani
Talal
T
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Ottawa, and Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dr_talloo@yahoo.com
Marsan
Joseph
J
Ferris
Wendy
W
Slinger
Robert
R
Chan
Frank
F
D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D006722:Honey; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*