Do patients with otitis externa produce biochemically different cerumen?

Osborne, Jonathan; Baty, J. D.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2273.1990.tb00434.x

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…However, the cerumen of patients with otitis externa does not seem to contain more antibacterial polyunsaturated fatty acids than those without. [11] In our study the cerumen inhibited the growth of bacteria and fungi at diff erent concentrations. Th e study demonstrated that cerumen has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which plays a role in the protection of the external auditory canal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

A study of antibacterial and antifungal properties of human cerumen

et al. 2012

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phenotypes. Current evidence stratifi es cerumen into two phenotypes: wet and dry. Wet cerumen, which is light or dark brown and sticky, is characterized by a relatively high concentration of lipid and pigment granules. Dry cerumen, which is grey or tan and brittle, tends to express lower levels of these components. [4] For example, dry wax contains around 20% lipid, compared to approximately 50% in wet cerumen. Besides this, the two forms show few other biochemical diff erences. Th ese two forms are associated with race and are controlled by two autosomal alleles. [5] Cerumen production seems to show neither discordance between sexes, nor marked differences over the years. However, the lack of marked diff erences over the year might ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of human cerumen on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Study Design: Prospective study Setting: The study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology, at a tertiary care teaching hospital in southern India. Materials and Methods: Cerumen samples were collected from 120 healthy cases by using sterile Jobson Horn Probe. Sterile samples were taken and further tested. The bacterial strains were cultured on nutrient agar and Candida was grown on SDA. Serial 10 fold dilutions of the test organisms were made using normal saline acting as control and using 3.5% cerumen suspension as test and were incubated at 37°C for 12 hours. Subcultures were performed from test as well as control tubes to assess the inhibitory activity of human cerumen. Results: Of 120 samples, only sterile samples were tested. At dilutions of 1 in 10 3 there was complete inhibition of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in all samples, complete inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus in 83.3% samples and Candida albicans in 80% samples. The order of inhibition demonstrated by cerumen in the present study was Escherichia coliPseudomonas aeruginosaStaphylococcus aureusCandida albicans. Conclusion: Human cerumen has antibacterial and antifungal properties against the commonest bacterial and fungal pathogens. Other than the physical barrier, wax acts as protective coating over the external auditory canal. Hence, routine wax removal/ear cleaning is not mandatory unless impacted wax is leading to earache or conductive hearing loss.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%