title: Efficacy of medical grade honey against multidrug-resistant organisms of operational significance: part I.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MEDIHONEY (Derma Sciences, Inc., Toronto, Ontario M1S 3S4, Canada) was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for use on tramatic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and second-degree burns against normal skin flora but not necessarily against multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) infecting these wounds or its associated recovery and healing rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we report on the efficacy of this medical grade honey treatment against two MDROs (Acinetobacter baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]). In this initial phase (Part I), an in-laboratory validation and characterization of the efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria were performed in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The antimicrobial resistance of both MDROs was confirmed in vitro using standard microbiology techniques and species' DNA signatures. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the MEDIHONEY was determined to be 3.5% for MRSA and 8.5% for A. baumannii. The minimum bactericidal concentrations determined against MRSA and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii were shown to be 9.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our in vitro findings support the efficacy of MEDIHONEY against MRSA and A. baumannii as requested by first responders. We also conducted screening assays using other "supermarket brands" of honey. All cultures from the latter showed bacterial and fungal growths. The use of supermarket brand honey for wound treatment is discouraged.
authors.affiliation: From the Clinical Investigation Facility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California.
authors.forename: Damaris J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tirado
authors.forename: Nolan Ryan
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Carlos J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Maldonado
mesh_terms: D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000187:drug effects*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents