Efficacy of medical grade honey against multidrug-resistant organisms of operational significance: part I.

BACKGROUND: MEDIHONEY (Derma Sciences, Inc., Toronto, Ontario M1S 3S4, Canada) was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for use on tramatic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and second-degree burns against normal skin flora but not necessarily against multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) infecting these wounds or its associated recovery and healing rate. METHODS: Here, we report on the efficacy of this medical grade honey treatment against two MDROs (Acinetobacter baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]). In this initial phase (Part I), an in-laboratory validation and characterization of the efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria were performed in vitro. RESULTS: The antimicrobial resistance of both MDROs was confirmed in vitro using standard microbiology techniques and species' DNA signatures. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the MEDIHONEY was determined to be 3.5% for MRSA and 8.5% for A. baumannii. The minimum bactericidal concentrations determined against MRSA and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii were shown to be 9.5% and 10.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our in vitro findings support the efficacy of MEDIHONEY against MRSA and A. baumannii as requested by first responders. We also conducted screening assays using other "supermarket brands" of honey. All cultures from the latter showed bacterial and fungal growths. The use of supermarket brand honey for wound treatment is discouraged.

Genetic analysis of a novel human adenovirus with a serologically unique hexon and a recombinant fiber gene.

In February of 1996 a human adenovirus (formerly known as Ad-Cor-96-487) was isolated from the stool of an AIDS patient who presented with severe chronic diarrhea. To characterize this apparently novel pathogen of potential public health significance, the complete genome of this adenovirus was sequenced to elucidate its origin. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses of this genome demonstrate that this virus, heretofore referred to as HAdV-D58, contains a novel hexon gene as well as a recombinant fiber gene. In addition, serological analysis demonstrated that HAdV-D58 has a different neutralization profile than all previously characterized HAdVs. Bootscan analysis of the HAdV-D58 fiber gene strongly suggests one recombination event.

Computational analysis of human adenovirus serotype 18.

The genome of the sole remaining unsequenced member of species A, human adenovirus type 18 (HAdV-A18), has been sequenced and analyzed. Members of species A are implicated as gastrointestinal pathogens and were shown to be tumorigenic in rodents. These whole genome and in silico proteome data are important as references for reexamining and integrating earlier work and observations based on lower resolution techniques, such as restriction enzyme digestion patterns, particularly for hypotheses based on pre-genomics data. Additionally, the genome of HAdV-A18 will also serve as reference for current studies examining the molecular evolution and origins of human and simian adenoviruses, particularly genome recombination studies. Applications of this virus as a potential vector for gene delivery protocols may be practical as data accumulate on this and other adenovirus genomes.