Manuka Honey Inhibits the Development of Streptococcus
pyogenes Biofilms and Causes Reduced Expression of Two Fibronectin Binding
Proteins
Microbiology, 2012 Mar;158(Pt 3):781-90
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is
always of clinical significance in wounds where it can initiate infection,
destroy skin grafts and persist as a biofilm.
Manuka honey has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and
its use in the clinical setting is beginning to gain acceptance with the
continuing emergence of antibiotic resistance and the inadequacy of established
systemic therapies; novel inhibitors may affect clinical practice.
In this study, the effect of manuka honey on S. pyogenes
(M28) was investigated in vitro with planktonic and biofilm cultures using MIC,
MBC, microscopy and aggregation efficiency.
Bactericidal effects were found in both planktonic cultures
and biofilms, although higher concentrations of manuka honey were needed to
inhibit biofilms. Abrogation of adherence and intercellular aggregation was
observed. Manuka honey permeated 24 h established biofilms of S. pyogenes,
resulting in significant cell death and dissociation of cells from the biofilm.
Sublethal concentrations of manuka honey effectively prevented the binding of
S. pyogenes to the human tissue protein fibronectin, but did not inhibit
binding to fibrinogen. The observed inhibition of fibronectin binding was
confirmed by a reduction in the expression of genes encoding two major
fibronectin-binding streptococcal surface proteins, Sof and SfbI.
These findings indicate that manuka honey has potential in
the topical treatment of wounds containing S. pyogenes.
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