MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Superbugs stung by honey bees

Link: BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Superbugs stung by honey bees.

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Community associated MRSA is typically found in wounds and boils. Like many superbugs it can be difficult to treat. Professor Moore is a scientist who likes to draw on history to help solve the problems facing the modern hospital laboratory. Surrounded by his team, he explains that in medieval times, some physicians used rose honey to treat wounds soldiers received in battle. Those doctors understood that honey had healing and disinfecting properties and that set the City Hospital scientists thinking. And far from being the only team looking at the medicinal properties of honey, they found a number of other researchers around the world who were also interested. But what was the science underlying the healing powers of honey and could it be used to tackle superbugs like community MRSA? Those were the questions which Professor Moore and Japanese assistant Maeda Yasunori set about answering. As it happened another scientist at nearby Queen's University, Philip Earle, keeps bees as a hobby. The scientists got talking.

Manuka Honey Destroys MRSA and Heals Staph Infections

Link: Manuka Honey Destroys MRSA and Heals Staph Infections.

Honey contains hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is a known antiseptic that can be used to clear infections and heal wounds. In addition, honey is high in sugar, low in protein and very acidic. These factors combine to make honey capable of killing contaminants it comes into contact with. Scientists have now found that various types of honey contain different antibacterial substances. Research has proven that "Manuka Honey" heals and sterilizes wounds and ulcers, more so than other types of honey and even traditional forms of medicine. It also assists in the growth of new skin and contains antibacterial properties that are so powerful that even antibiotic-resistant forms of bacteria have not been able to withstand it. Manuka Honey contains antioxidants that eliminate free radicals in the body. When Manuka Honey is exposed to air, it draws moisture in from the air, giving it a hygroscopic nature. This prevents scarring by keeping the skin moist, regenerating new skin tissue and stops bandages from sticking to the wound. There has been hundreds of clinical trials over the past 2 decades, conducted by hospitals and universities all over the world. These clinical trials have found that Manuka Honey contains additional antibacterial properties as well as the hydrogen peroxide. Manuka Honey has gained increased notoriety because of its ability to wipe out the super-bugs associated with MRSA and Staph infections. The nectar secreted by the Manuka Tree (indigenous to New Zealand) contains what scientists call the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. It is this antibacterial component that sets Manuka Honey apart from other types of honey.

British Honey Kills CA MRSA

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

Although previous studies have examined the antimicrobial activity of honey against HA-MRSA, such data are limited regarding the activity of honey against this emerging type of MRSA. CA-MRSA (n=6 isolates), was examined for its susceptibility to natural honey (n=3 honey produced from bees in Northern Ireland and one commercial French honey). Results demonstrated that all honey was able to reduce the cultural count of all CA-MRSA from approximately 10(6) colony-forming units (cfus) (mean=6.46log(10)cfu/g) to none detectable within 24h of co-culture of separate CA-MRSA organisms individually with all four-honey types examined. Subsequent non-selective enrichment of honey demonstrated that inoculated honey remained positive for CA-MRSA until 72h postinoculation, after which point no culturable organisms could be detected. This study demonstrated that, in vitro, these natural products had an antimicrobial activity against the CA-MRSA organisms tested. Further studies are now required to demonstrate if this antimicrobial activity has any clinical application.

Destroying the MRSA Super-bug With Manuka Honey

Link: Destroying the MRSA Super-bug With Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey comes from the hives of honeybees that gather nectar from the flowers of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows wild throughout New Zealand. Manuka Honey has been tested for antibacterial activity and contains a property found only in honey made from the Leptospermum plants. This property is called the “unique manuka factor” (UMF) which produces a more potent antibacterial action. This property also makes Manuka Honey more stable and active in all situations, unlike other types of honey which loses its effectiveness under certain conditions, such as being exposed to heat or light. Manuka Honey has been used successfully in wound dressings and is now being used by a company called Honeymark as a main ingredient in their health care products. Honeymark has recently hired BioScreen, a laboratory in California to conduct third-part product testing to certify their products' effectiveness in destroying MRSA. "As a wound dressing, Active UMF Manuka Honey reduces inflammation, swelling and pain quickly," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "This healing occurs much faster in conditions where standard antibiotic and antiseptic treatment was not working. In addition to quickening the healing process, another benefit of using Manuka Honey on wounds is that it doesn't cause tissue damage or scaring as other antiseptics do." There are many reports of Staph infections being completely inhibited by Manuka Honey.

Medical Honey for Wound Care Still the 'Latest Resort'

Link: Medical Honey for Wound Care Still the 'Latest Resort'? -- Simon et al., 10.1093/ecam/nem175 -- Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

While the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used honey for wound care, and a broad spectrum of wounds are treated all over the world with natural unprocessed honeys from different sources, MedihoneyTM has been one of the first medically certified honeys licensed as a medical product for professional wound care in Europe and Australia. Our experience with medical honey in wound care refers only to this product. In this review, we put our clinical experience into a broader perspective to comment on the use of medical honey in wound care. More prospective randomized studies on a wider range of types of wounds are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of medical honey in wound care. Nonetheless, the current evidence confirming the antibacterial properties and additional beneficial effects of medical honey on wound healing should encourage other wound care professionals to use CE-certified honey dressings with standardized antibacterial activity, such as MedihoneyTM products, as an alternative treatment approach in wounds of different natures.

Honeymark Offers a Honey Solution to MRSA

Link: Honeymark Offers a Viable Solution to the MRSA Epidemic.

Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase. Manuka Honey also contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants (more commonly known as the Manuka Bush, indigenous to New Zealand) which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. There is evidence that the two antibacterial components have a synergistic action. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. The enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in most common forms of honey becomes active only when honey is diluted. But UMF is active in full strength honey, which will provide a more potent antibacterial action diffusing into the depth of infected tissues. The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected. "Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to re-grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing scaring and deformity of the skin, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "In other words, If a dry scab forms on a wound, the skin cells can only grow across the wound deeper down where it is moist." Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which re-growth of tissue can occur. Manuka Honey also stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair. It stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. Manuka Honey thus prevents scarring and keloid formation, and removes the need for skin grafting even with quite large wounds.

The Healing Power of Manuka Honey

Link: The Healing Power of Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey is made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka bush ( Leptospermum scoparium ) which is indigenous to New Zealand.  Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial properties and, when applied to the skin, has been found by some studies to effectively treat wounds and ulcers that have failed to respond to standard medicine, particularly those that are antibiotic resistant. Manuka Honey's healing powers are so strong that its antibacterial component has been given its own classification which has become known as "the unique manuka factor" ( UMF ).  Strengths range from UMF5, which is believed to be equivalent to a 5% solution of a standard antiseptic, to UMF20 ( or higher ), which is equivalent to a 20% solution of antiseptic. Manuka Honey not only fights infection and aids tissue healing but has been found in clinical trials to reduce inflammation and scarring.  Its healing properties appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic, and its high sugar concentration which inhibits bacterial growth. Manuka Honey is also known to have natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties Manuka Honey wound dressings and creams are now being used in NHS hospitals and has been extremely effective in combating MRSA known as the antibiotic-resistant “superbug”.  “In the past year, Manuka Honey has become accepted into conventional medicine,” says Frank Buonanotte.  It's just a matter of time that more medical products will contain this highly effective ingredient that has no reported negative side effects." To purchase health care products containing Manuka Honey, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com or call 866-427-7329 to order by phone.

Topical Honey Tested As A Treatment For Diabetic Ulcers

Link: Topical Honey Tested As A Treatment For Diabetic Ulcers, UW Study.

Complications from a 2002 car accident left Hurlburt, a borderline diabetic, with recurring cellulitis and staph infections. One of those infections developed into a troublesome open sore that, despite the use of oral antibiotics, continued to fester for nearly eight months. Then Hurlburt's physician, Jennifer Eddy of UW Health's Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic, suggested she try using topical honey. Within a matter of months, the sore had healed completely. "I remember thinking, holy mackerel-what a difference," says Hurlburt, who can't use topical antibiotics because of allergies. "It's a lot better than having to put oral antibiotics into your system." With funding provided by the Wisconsin Partnership Fund for Health and the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, Eddy is currently conducting the first randomized, double-blind controlled trial of honey for diabetic ulcers. Eddy first successfully used honey therapy a few years ago with a patient who was facing amputation after all medical options had been exhausted.

Honey making MRSA Impact

Link: New First Aid Antiseptic Lotion

Honeymark International is a manufacturer of over-the-counter health care products that contain Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. The use of Manuka Honey as a wound dressing material, an ancient remedy that has been rediscovered, is becoming of increasing interest as more reports of its effectiveness are published. The clinical observations recorded are that infection is rapidly cleared, inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced, odor is reduced, sloughing of necrotic tissue is induced, granulation and epithelialisation are hastened, and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring.

Antibiotic-resistant staph infections may be helped by medicinal honey

Link: Antibiotic-resistant staph infections may be helped by medicinal honey.

Standard treatment for staph infections of the nose is regular application of an antibiotic ointment (over-the-counter or prescription), but some of these infections can be stubborn, taking up to a year to subside. If this approach hasn't helped, you might try using medicinal honey instead. Researchers at the University of Waikato in New Zealand have found that honey's antibacterial activity can even stop the growth of MRSA bacteria. They've also shown that honey has no adverse effects on healthy tissue and can be safely inserted into cavities and sinuses to clear infection. Don't try this with ordinary supermarket honey. Two medicinal honeys available commercially include manuka honey from New Zealand and Medihoney from Australia.