ABSTRACT

This work was carried out to investigate the susceptibility pauern of bacteria associated with wound infection to honey. A total of 50 wound swab samples were collected from three sources; Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia State Specialist Hospital, and Diagnostic Centre Umuahia and three other Private Clinics within Umuahia metropolis. Bacteria isolated from the samples included Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia co/i, and Proteus Sp. The various organisms were tested for susceptibility to four concentrations (5%, 25%, 50% and 100%) of honey sample using well diffusion method, and the average zones of inhibition were measured. The test organisms showed variable susceptibility to the honey sample at concentrations 25% -100%. The honey sample was non-inhibitory to all test organisms at 5% concentration. The organisms were also tested using commercial antibiotics. The susceptibility pattern of E. coil at 100% concentration of honey was similar to its pattern to amoxycillin. Moreover S. aureus, was the most sensitive to honey with average zone of inhibition of 14.40±0.40mm among the organisms tested. in conclusion, following the result of this research, honey can be used in treating common diseases, especially those caused by the tested bacteria. In addition honey has the potential to be introduced as a new antibacterial therapeutic agent in modern medicine.