The Effect of Whole Honey Bee Venom (Apismellifera) on Reducing Skin Infection of Rabbits Caused by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: An In vivo Study

Abstract

The widespread prevalence of bacterial resistance to currently available antibiotics has led to search for nonantibiotic agents to combat infections caused by these bacteria. This study aimed at evaluating the role of whole honey bee venom (WBV) produced by Apismellifera bees in combating rabbit skin infection produced by Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both in vitro and in vivo testing of susceptibility of MRSA to WBV were tested. In vitro testing showed complete inhibition of MRSA growth by WBV on the agar plate compared to normal saline. For in vivo testing, three different skin regions on the chest and abdomen of six adult laboratory rabbits were inoculated separately by MRSA alone, WBV alone and a combination of both agents. Two macroscopic skin lesions, local swelling and necrosis in the tested regions were inspected and quantitatively scored daily for a total of 5 days. No significant swelling reported in any animal when injecting WBV alone compared to moderate/severe swelling in all 6 animals when using MRSA alone. A combination of WBV/MRSA didn’t produce skin swelling too. For local skin necrosis, no necrosis developed in areas inoculated with WBV alone in contrast to its occurrence in 5 / 6 animals inoculated with MRSA alone. With WBV/MRSA combination, 5 animals (83.3%) showed no necrosis and in remaining one only slight necrosis developed. The study concluded that WBV has a therapeutic potential to combat Staphylococcal skin infection as the majority of tested rabbits didn’t develop infection with the use of WBV/MRSA combination.

Keywords

• staphylococcus aureus
• whole honey bee venom
• rabbit