The antimicrobial activity of honey against common equine wound bacterial isolates.
Authors: Carnwath R, Graham E M, Reynolds K, Pollock P J
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Antimicrobial Efficacy of Honey Products for Equine Wounds Distal limb wounds in horses frequently suffer delayed healing, prompting clinicians to explore topical therapies beyond conventional dressings; whilst commercial medical-grade honey products exist for equine use, some practitioners source non-regulated honeys from supermarkets or local beekeepers without clear evidence of efficacy. Carnwath and colleagues evaluated 29 honey products—including medical-grade (gamma-irradiated and non-irradiated), commercial, and artisanal sources—screening them first for bacterial or fungal contamination, then testing the clean samples against ten equine wound pathogens including methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. Eighteen products (62%) proved contaminated and unsuitable for clinical use; of the remaining 11, eight demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all target organisms at concentrations between <2% and 16% (v/v), with Scottish Heather Honey performing optimally, inhibiting all isolates at concentrations as low as <2–6% (v/v). The findings suggest that honey's antimicrobial properties extend beyond Manuka varieties, but the substantial contamination rate in non-sterile products presents a significant clinical risk, making gamma-irradiated preparations from high-performing sources preferable for wound management in equine practice.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Non-medical grade honeys and products sourced from beekeepers carry significant contamination risk (62% in this study) and should not be used for equine wound treatment
- •If using honey for distal limb wounds, select only sterile, medical-grade products; Scottish Heather Honey may offer superior antimicrobial coverage at lower concentrations than other options
- •Honey can be effective against resistant organisms like MRSA in equine wounds, but product selection and sterility verification are critical factors for successful clinical outcomes
Key Findings
- •18 of 29 honey products were contaminated with aerobic bacteria or fungi and excluded from analysis
- •8 of 11 non-contaminated honey products demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all 10 equine wound bacterial isolates at concentrations ranging from <2% to 16%
- •Scottish Heather Honey was the most effective product, inhibiting all 10 bacterial isolates including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of <2% to 6%
- •Commercially available medical-grade gamma-irradiated honeys and non-medical honeys showed variable antimicrobial efficacy, suggesting non-sterile honeys may be unsuitable for wound treatment