Has cerumen a protective role in recurrent external otitis?

Purpose: We investigated the bactericidal activity of the cerumen in patients with recurrent otitis externa. Materials and Methods: Cerumen samples were collected from 2 groups. Group A (n = 20) consisted of patients with recurrent otitis externa (2 or more acute otitis externa attack in the current year) and group B (n = 30) consisted of cerumen from a healthy population. We examined the bactericidal activity against the common microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus) that encounter the recurrent otitis externa. Results: A significant decrease in the count of S epidermidis was observed in group A (P < .05) and B (P < .01) was observed. A comparison of decreases and increases in the percentages of microorganisms between the groups A and B showed that there was a significant difference only in the count of E coli (P less than or equal to .05). The count of E coli decreased in cerumen suspension in group A, but it increased in the normal population. Conclusion: We did not confirm that cerumen from patients with recurrent otitis externa had less bactericidal activity than from a healthy population. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.