Thirteen lactic acid bacteria found in honey, from the honey stomach of bees, produce many active antimicrobial compounds that have been shown to be effective in fighting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have been testing the honey bacteria, and when the lactic acid bacteria were applied to pathogens in the lab, it counteracted MRSA, VRE and other antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
In addition to testing in the lab, the researchers applied the lactic acid bacteria, mixed with honey, to ten horses with persistent wounds. In all of the cases, the horses' wounds were healed.
"Antibiotics are mostly one active substance, effective against only a narrow spectrum of bacteria," said Tobias Olofsson, a physician of medical microbiology with Lund University. "When used alive, these 13 lactic acid bacteria produce the right kind of antimicrobial compounds as needed, depending on the threat."
Raw honey has been used historically to fight infections, but store-bought honey does not contain living lactic acid bacteria.
Further investigation is needed to establish wider clinical use against human and animal infections.