Honey could be the answer to anti-biotic resistance

BBC Breakfast

3 Apr 201902:51

Summary

TLDRDebbie's battle with sepsis and antimicrobial resistance highlights the urgent need for new treatments. Researchers are exploring honey's natural antimicrobial properties as an alternative to antibiotics, developing medical gels and sprays to combat resistant bacteria, including the deadly MRSA. With the potential to revolutionize infection control, these honey-based products aim to prevent and treat infections, offering hope in the face of a post-antibiotic era.

Takeaways

😷 Debbie contracted a severe urinary tract infection and assumed antibiotics would cure it.
🚨 She developed sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body's response to infection causes damage to its own tissues.
💊 Antibiotics administered were ineffective, leading to the discovery of antimicrobial resistance in her case.
🌐 Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health threat, with predictions that it could surpass cancer in mortality rates by 2050.
🏥 The lack of effective antibiotics could signify the end of modern medicine as we know it.
🤔 Research into alternative treatments began with a curiosity about why bacteria do not survive in beehives, hinting at honey's natural antimicrobial properties.
🍯 Honey has been used to treat infections for centuries due to its natural antibiotic properties but is challenging to apply in medical settings due to its sticky nature.
🧪 Scientists are developing medical products from honey, such as sprays, creams, and powders, to make it more practical for medical use.
🛡 Honey-based medical gel has been created, and researchers are exploring its potential as a preventative measure in surgeries and as an alternative to traditional antibiotics.
🛑 The honey used in these experiments has shown effectiveness against bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics, including the notorious superbug MRSA.
💉 Debbie's case highlights the urgent need for new infection treatments, as traditional antibiotics nearly failed to save her life.
🔬 With sufficient funding, it is hoped that honey-based medical products will undergo medical trials in the coming years.

Q & A

What health issue did Debbie initially contract?
-Debbie initially contracted a urinary tract infection.
What complication arose from Debbie's urinary tract infection?
-Debbie developed sepsis, a condition where the body's response to infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs.
Why were the antibiotics initially administered to Debbie not effective?
-The antibiotics were not effective because Debbie had antimicrobial resistance, meaning the microorganisms had evolved to withstand the drugs.
What is antimicrobial resistance and why is it alarming?
-Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve to the point where drugs like antibiotics can no longer kill them. It's alarming because it's becoming more common and is predicted to kill more people than cancer by 2050.
What is the potential consequence of widespread antimicrobial resistance for modern medicine?
-If we reach a stage with no working antibiotics, it would essentially mean the end of modern medicine as we know it, as many medical procedures rely on the ability to prevent and treat infections.
What natural substance has been found to have antimicrobial properties?
-Honey has been found to have natural antimicrobial properties and has been used as a treatment for infections for centuries.
What is the challenge with using honey as a medical treatment in its natural state?
-The challenge with using honey in its natural state is that it's sticky, making it difficult to apply in surgery or on wounds.
What innovative approach is being taken to utilize honey in medical treatments?
-Researchers are developing honey-based medical products such as sprays, creams, and powders that can be easily applied to different parts of the body.
What has been the progress in developing honey-based medical products?
-Honey-based medical gel has already been developed, and researchers are looking to take the idea further with other forms of application.
How could honey-based products be used in medical settings?
-Honey-based products could be used preventatively before a surgical incision and potentially as an alternative to antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
What is the significance of the research on honey-based treatments in the context of Debbie's experience?
-The research on honey-based treatments is significant because it represents a different approach to fighting infection, which could have saved Debbie, who nearly died due to antibiotic resistance.
What is the next step for honey-based medical products if funding is secured?
-If funding is found, these honey-based products will be brought to medical trials in the next few years.

Outlines

00:00

😷 Antibiotic Resistance and Honey's Potential

The script discusses the alarming issue of antibiotic resistance, which is predicted to become a greater cause of death than cancer by 2050. The story of Debbie, who nearly died due to sepsis and ineffective antibiotics, highlights the urgency of this issue. It introduces the concept of using honey, with its natural antimicrobial properties, as an alternative treatment for infections. The narrative explains how researchers are working to transform the sticky substance into more practical forms like sprays, creams, and powders for medical use. The development of honey-based medical gel is mentioned, and its effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, is underscored. The hope is that with funding, these honey-based treatments will undergo medical trials in the near future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of infection that affects any part of the urinary system, from the kidneys to the urethra. It is typically caused by bacteria, with E. coli being the most common culprit. In the script, Debbie contracted a UTI and initially assumed antibiotics would cure it, highlighting how UTIs are commonly treated but can sometimes lead to more serious complications.

💡Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It is a severe form of infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death if not treated promptly. In the video, the narrator developed sepsis after their UTI, indicating a rapid deterioration of their health due to the body's overactive immune response.

💡Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon where microorganisms, such as bacteria, evolve to become resistant to the drugs that are meant to kill them, such as antibiotics. This resistance is a growing global health concern because it can render common infections untreatable. The script emphasizes the alarming rise of AMR and its potential to surpass cancer as a leading cause of death by 2050.

💡Honey

Honey is a natural substance produced by bees and has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, including its natural antimicrobial properties. It contains enzymes that can kill bacteria and has been used to treat wounds and infections. The video discusses how honey's properties are being harnessed to create new medical treatments, such as sprays and creams, to combat infections.

💡Natural antibiotics

Natural antibiotics are substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and are found in nature, such as in certain plants or products like honey. They are an alternative to synthetic antibiotics and can be particularly useful in cases where bacteria have developed resistance to conventional antibiotics. The script mentions honey's natural antibiotics as a potential solution to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

💡Surgical wound

A surgical wound is an incision made by a surgeon during an operation. It is a deliberate break in the skin and underlying tissues that must heal properly to prevent infection and other complications. The script discusses the potential use of honey-based products as a preventative measure in surgery, to reduce the risk of post-operative infections.

💡Medical gel

A medical gel is a semi-solid substance used for various therapeutic purposes, often for application on the skin or in wounds. The script mentions the development of a honey-based medical gel, which is an innovative application of honey's natural properties to treat and prevent infections in a more accessible form.

💡Superbug

A superbug is a term used to describe bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections they cause very difficult to treat. The script refers to MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) as an example of a superbug, which is resistant to conventional antibiotics and highlights the urgency of finding new treatments.

💡Medical trial

A medical trial is a research study that aims to answer specific health questions and test new treatments, interventions, or medical devices. The script mentions the hope that honey-based products will undergo medical trials, indicating the next step in validating their effectiveness and safety for use in treating infections.

💡Research funding

Research funding is financial support provided for scientific research, which is essential for the development of new treatments and technologies. The script suggests that finding funding is a crucial step for bringing honey-based medical products to medical trials, emphasizing the role of financial support in advancing health solutions.

💡Survivor

A survivor is someone who has lived through a traumatic or life-threatening event. In the context of the script, the narrator identifies as a survivor of a severe infection and sepsis, which underscores the personal impact of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of supporting research to find alternative treatments.

Highlights

Debbie contracted a urinary tract infection and initially assumed antibiotics would be effective.

Debbie developed sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body attacks itself due to an infection.

Antibiotics administered were ineffective, leading to the discovery of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming increasingly common, posing a significant health threat.

By 2050, antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause more deaths than cancer.

The absence of effective antibiotics could signify the end of modern medicine.

Research into natural alternatives to antibiotics began with a question about bacteria and beehives.

Honey has been used as an infection treatment for centuries due to its natural antimicrobial properties.

Honey contains natural antibiotics but is difficult to apply in medical settings due to its sticky texture.

Researchers are developing honey-based medical products such as sprays, creams, and powders.

Honey-based medical gel has been created, and further development aims to enhance its application in medicine.

The honey-based gel could be used as a preventative measure in surgeries and as an alternative to antibiotics.

Honey has shown the ability to kill bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics, including the superbug MRSA.

Debbie's experience with the sixth antibiotic highlights the urgent need for alternative infection treatments.

The development of honey-based medical products could offer a new approach to fighting infections.

Funding and medical trials are needed to bring these honey-based products to market.

The potential of honey as an antimicrobial agent could revolutionize the treatment of infections.