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Wound care with antibacterial honey (Medihoney) in pediatric hematology–oncology

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Abstract

The physiologic process of wound healing is impaired and prolonged in pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy. Due to profound immunosuppression, wound infection can easily spread and act as the source of sepsis. Referring to in vitro studies, which confirmed the antibacterial potency of special honey preparations against typical isolates of nosocomially acquired wound infections (including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci) and considering the encouraging reports from other groups, Medihoney has now been used in wound care at the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital, University of Bonn for 3 years. Supplemented with clinical data from pediatric oncology patients, this article reviews the scientific background and our promising experience with Medihoney in wound care issues at our institution. To collect and analyze the available experience, we prepare an internet-based data documentation module for pediatric wound care with Medihoney.

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Notes

  1. The most prominent protagonist of manuka honey from New Zealand and pioneer of investigating its medical applications is Peter C. Molan, University of Waikato, Department of Biological Sciences, see http://honey.bio.waikato.ac.nz.

  2. Due to its high osmotic potential, honey facilitates the resolution of edema and keeps the wound moist by mobilizing wound exudate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital, University of Bonn, Adenauerallee 119, 53113, Bonn, Germany

    Arne Simon, Kai Sofka, Gertrud Wiszniewsky, Gisela Blaser, Udo Bode & Gudrun Fleischhack

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  1. Arne Simon
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  2. Kai Sofka
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  3. Gertrud Wiszniewsky
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  4. Gisela Blaser
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  6. Gudrun Fleischhack
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Correspondence to Arne Simon.

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Simon, A., Sofka, K., Wiszniewsky, G. et al. Wound care with antibacterial honey (Medihoney) in pediatric hematology–oncology. Support Care Cancer 14, 91–97 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0874-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0874-8

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