Manuka Honey Can Prevent, Fight Hospital-Borne Infections

Honey has always been known for its health benefits. And now, researchers discovered that a type of honey from New Zealand has a potential of beating bacteria. If this benefit is proven effective, the honey could potentially lower the risk of infections especially those that need to use medical devices such as catheters.

According to Indian Express, the new study found that diluted Manuka honey may be a powerful cure against bacterial growth, especially in medical devices. This may also be used to lower down the risk of infections in hospital patients. Manuka honey is a monofloral honey produced in Australia and New Zealand from the nectar of the Manuka tree.

It has also been found that Manuka honey has been used as a natural remedy for a long time, and has also been shown its antibacterial and anti-inflammation effects. The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology, revealed that researchers observed if the honey could also prevent bacteria build up on surfaces.

Time reported that medical instrument that goes inside a patient's body such as catheters can develop biofilms, which is a layer of bacteria that can cling on to surfaces. However, the problem can happen when these biofilms turn into infection reservoirs, and can later cause health complications. According to statistics, there are about 100 million catheters sold around the world every year and these catheters are often connected with health risks like urinary tract infections.

To check Manuka honey's potential ability reduce this risk, the researchers tested its effect on two different types of bacteria which usually causes UTIs from catheter use. These are Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Proteus mirabilis. Study authors explained that 80%-85% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, the Daily Star reported.

Researchers diluted  the honey with distilled water and added the medium to give different 'strengths', 3.3 percent, 6.6 percent, 10 percent, 13.3 percent, and 16.7 percent. Findings showed that the honey prevented the bacteria's ability to develop into a biofilm even when exposed to the lowest concentration levels. However, researchers pointed out that more research will need to be conducted to determine if honey could actually prevent bacteria build up in people with catheters.

Meanwhile, Professor Bashir Lwaleed, associate professor of health sciences at the University of Southampton, said: "We have been able to demonstrate that diluted honey is potentially a useful agent for reducing biofilm formation on indwelling plastic devices such as urinary catheters." Lwaleed also explained that catheter infection rates can take up a large portion of hospital acquired infections. "It is an area of clinical practice that needs addressing."

It is also important to point out that researchers also said there might be an extra bonus for Manuka honey. The study has so far suggested that bacteria do not develop a resistance to honey. Antibiotic resistance is already causing major problems worldwide. Experts say that bacteria can naturally become resistant to medications used to treat it, and the widespread use of antibiotics as time pass in the field of medicine and agriculture have greatly contributed to the problem.