In Vitro Activity of Manuka Honey, Either Alone or in Combination With Topical Antibiotics, Against Bacteria Commonly Found in Equine Ulcerative Keratitis.

Manuka honey shows in vitro activity against equine corneal pathogens and synergizes with select antibiotics.

This in vitro study evaluated manuka honey's antibacterial properties against bacterial isolates from equine ulcerative keratitis, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Using microdilution assays and spectrophotometric analysis, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of manuka honey was 12% (w/v) for all isolates, with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranging from 20-28% (w/v). When combined with sub-inhibitory manuka honey concentrations, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and fusidic acid demonstrated enhanced antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus species, including resistant strains. Conversely, ofloxacin and cloxacillin showed slightly reduced efficacy in combination with manuka honey. Gentamicin and tobramycin showed no consistent differences. These findings suggest manuka honey possesses both inhibitory and bactericidal activity against equine corneal pathogens, including multi-drug resistant organisms. However, the authors acknowledge that further in vivo studies are necessary to validate these synergistic and antagonistic interactions in clinical practice.

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