Summary
Background
Mupirocin is used specifically for the eradication of nasal meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), but increasing mupirocin resistance restricts its repeated use. The antibacterial
effects of manuka honey have been established in vitro; antibacterial activity of other honeys has also been reported.
Aim
To describe the learning experience from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing
the efficacy of medical-grade honey (MGH) with mupirocin 2% for the eradication of
nasal MRSA.
Methods
Patients colonized in the nose with MRSA and age ≥18 years were recruited. Participants
received either one or two courses of MGH or mupirocin 2%, three times per day for
five consecutive days.
Findings
The proportion of patients who were decolonized after one or two courses of treatment
was not significantly different between MGH [18/42; 42.8%; 95% confidence interval
(CI): 27.7–59.0] and mupirocin 2% (25/44; 56.8%; 95% CI: 41.0–71.7). Non-nasal MRSA
colonization was significantly associated with persistent nasal colonization (odds
ratio: 5.186; 95% CI: 1.736–5.489; P = 0.003). The rate of new acquisition of mupirocin resistance was 9.75%.
Conclusion
Although not significant, a decolonization rate of 42.8% for MGH was impressive. Our
findings suggest that this strategy, which has the potential to combat antimicrobial
resistance, should be assessed in similar but larger studies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 26, 2017
Accepted:
October 20,
2017
Received:
September 7,
2017
Footnotes
☆This study was presented in part at the Infection Prevention Society conference, Harrogate, UK, 2016 (Abstract 4635) and at the Federation of Infection Societies and 10th Healthcare Infection Society conference, Edinburgh, UK, 2016 (Abstract 4765).
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
