In-vitro Antibacterial Effect of Honey against Selected Clinical Isolates from Wound of Patients Attending Dutse General Hospital, Jigawa State – Nigeria

In an era of multidrug resistant bacteria, evaluation of more natural therapeutic options becomes  necessary. This study was conducted to determine the antibacterial activity of honey on some clinical  bacterial isolates from wound of patients attending Dutse General Hospital. Forty (40) wound swab  samples were collected and analyzed out of which 33 demonstrated the growth of organisms. These were  identified using morphologic characteristics on selective and differential media, as well as Gram’s and  biochemical reaction. Several organisms were isolated including; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus  epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas spp.   S. aureus is the most predominant organism isolated (34%). The antibacterial assay was determined using  disk diffusion method with four different concentrations of two honey samples viz: 100% (v/v), 70% (v/v),  50% (v/v) and 30% (v/v). The tested organisms were sensitive to the different concentrations of honey  used; however the highest activity was observed in 100% (v/v), the zone of inhibition ranges from 15 19mm in diameter. The highest zone of inhibition was observed in S. aureus (19mm) while Pseudomonas  spp had the least (15mm). The antibacterial activity increased with increase in concentration. The MIC of  the honey sample 1 and 2 were 1.25v/v for S. aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella spp and 2.5v/v for pseudomonas  spp respectively. The MBC of the honey samples (1&2) were 2.5v/v for S. aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella spp  and 5.0v/v for Pseudomonas spp respectively. The results of the study revealed that honey has a good  antibacterial activity and as such can be used to treat wound infections.