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Published on: January 13, 2023
Antifungal Activity of a Medical-Grade Honey Formulation against Candida auris
Theun de Groot1, Tom Janssen1, Dirk Faro1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Candida auris is a pathogenic yeast causing outbreaks in intensive care units with high mortality rates. The treatment of C. auris colonization is challenging due to high resistance rates. A potential alternative antifungal treatment is medical-grade honey. In this study the susceptibility of C. auris and other Candida species to the medical-grade honey-based formulation L-Mesitran® Soft was investigated. The medical-grade honey formulation reduced the growth of C. auris and other Candida species in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was not only due to the honey component, as treatment with an identical concentration of this component only was less effective and even stimulated the growth of C. albicans and C. glabrata, supporting the interpretation that supplements in the medical-grade honey formulation enhanced the antimicrobial activity. Increasing the concentration of the honey component to 40%, as is also present in an undiluted medical-grade honey formulation, lead to a 1- to 4-log inhibition of all Candida species. Unprocessed local honey reduced the growth of nearly all Candida species more strongly than medical-grade honey. C. auris' susceptibility to the medical-grade honey formulation did not depend on geographic origin or resistance profile, although the multiresistant isolates tended to be more susceptible. Altogether, medical-grade honey formulation has a strong antifungal activity against C. auris and other Candida species. Future studies should demonstrate whether the treatment of open wounds or skin colonized with C. auris is feasible and effective in the clinical setting.
Insights
Medical-grade honey effectively inhibits the growth of the drug-resistant yeast Candida auris and other Candida species. This antifungal activity is enhanced by formulation components, suggesting potential for wound and skin colonization treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Antimicrobial Research
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast causing severe hospital-acquired infections.
- Treating C. auris colonization is difficult due to high antifungal resistance rates.
- Medical-grade honey presents a potential alternative for antifungal therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifungal susceptibility of Candida auris and other Candida species to a medical-grade honey formulation (L-Mesitran® Soft).
- To determine if formulation components enhance honey's antimicrobial activity against Candida species.
- To assess the impact of geographic origin and resistance profiles on C. auris susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- In vitro susceptibility testing of Candida species against L-Mesitran® Soft and its components.
- Dose-response analysis of antifungal activity.
- Comparison with unprocessed local honey.
Main Results:
- L-Mesitran® Soft demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of C. auris and other Candida species.
- Formulation components significantly enhanced honey's antifungal activity compared to honey alone.
- Unprocessed local honey showed stronger inhibition than the medical-grade formulation for most species.
- C. auris susceptibility was independent of origin or resistance profile, with multiresistant strains showing higher susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Medical-grade honey formulations exhibit significant antifungal activity against Candida auris and related species.
- The formulation's components play a crucial role in enhancing antimicrobial efficacy.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of medical-grade honey for treating C. auris colonization in open wounds or on skin.
