In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Honey against Clinical Isolates Associated With Urinary Tract Infections

Honey has been used as a traditional remedy for microbial infections since ancient times. With increasing concerns about antibiotic resistance, there is growing interest in evaluating natural products like honey for their antimicrobial properties. This study investigates the antibacterial activity of honey against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, two common pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Honey samples were obtained from local commercial producers in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The samples were diluted to concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (v/v). Clinical isolates of S. aureus and E. coli were obtained from UTI patients and confirmed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Mueller-Hinton agar plates were inoculated with standardized bacterial suspensions, and wells were filled with different honey concentrations. Gentamicin (10µg) and Ofloxacin (5µg) were used as control antibiotics. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and inhibition zones were measured. The undiluted honey (100% concentration) exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. The inhibition zones ranged from 16–24 mm for S. aureus and 19–22 mm for E. coli across different honey concentrations. The antibacterial activity of honey was superior to Gentamicin but comparable to ofloxacin. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between the mean inhibition zones at different honey concentrations. The tested honey demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli isolates from UTIs. These findings suggest that honey could serve as an alternative treatment for bacterial infections, particularly in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.