Otitis externa maligna con diseminación hematógena de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenémicos

Pseudomonas aeruginosa en una bacteria Gram negativa no fermentadora que produce diversos tipos de infecciones severas en inmunocompetentes e inmunodeprimidos. Una de estas infecciones es la otitis externa maligna, la cual se presenta principalmente en personas con diabetes mellitus y puede tener una evolución tórpida cursando con osteomielitis de base de cráneo y parálisis de nervios craneales. El tratamiento es individualizado y principalmente conservador con antibioticoterapia guiada por cultivo. La bacteria aislada en la mayoría de los casos reportados es sensible a los antibióticos anti-pseudomónicos. Reportamos un caso de presentación inusual de otitis externa maligna por Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenémicos con evidencia sugerente de compromiso bilateral y en el cual se aisló al mismo germen en urocultivo y hemocultivos, lo que indicaría una diseminación hematógena del microorganismo.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium that produces several types of severe infections in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. One of these infections is malignant otitis externa, which occurs mainly in people with diabetes mellitus and can have a torpid evolution coursing with osteomyelitis of skull base and cranial nerve palsies. Treatment is individualized and mainly conservative with culture-guided antibiotic therapy, with isolated pseudomonas being sensitive to anti-pseudomonal antibiotics in the majority of reported cases. We report a case of unusual presentation of malignant otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems with suggestive evidence of bilateral involvement and in which the same germ was isolated in urine and blood cultures, which would indicate hematogenous dissemination of the microorganism.

A study on the microbial spectrum of otitis externa in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Otitis externa is frequently seen illness by ENT practitioners predominantly in children and old age people. The severity sometimes varies from it ranges in severity from a trivial infection to dangerous malignant otitis externa. Furthermore, due to absurd consumption of antibiotics, though there is a fall in development of complications, there is a rise in resistance to various infectious organisms. Mostly, we start treating patients with empirical therapy where sometimes, it leads to occurrence of various antibiotic-resistant infections. For that reason, recent evidence about the organism which is mostly involved in infection and also most importantly the pattern of their response to various pharmacological agents is crucial for the sensible use of the medications for the management. Aim and Objectives: Our study was planned to evaluate and find out the causative organism which is most commonly seen in otitis externa, particularly focusing on drug sensitivity for those organisms, so that efficient management of otitis externa can be done. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted in acute otitis externa patients from Novemver 2019 to January 2020. Patients who all presented with ear discharge within 3 months of period, samples were collected with clinically diagnosed acute otitis externa and sent for culture in blood agar, chocolate agar, and Mcconkey medium in vitro and drug sensitivity pattern was identified for individual organisms. Inclusion criteria: Patients more than 18 years having ear discharge within 3 months were included in the study. Exclusion criteria: Chronically discharging ear >3 months were excluded from the study. Results: Pseudomonas organism was frequently encountered pathogen in our study, trailed by Staphylococcus aureus. The organisms identified were very much sensitive to drugs like fluoroquinolones particularly Ciprofloxacin, and Aminoglycosides like Amikacin and almost all were responding to treatment with Piperacillin-Tazobactam, these drugs have an cidal activity over pathogens and are suitable for any age and safety-wise better too. Conclusion: Intermittent assessment and awareness of the bacteriological summary and their drug response profile in a particular geographical area will only help in rational drug prescription. Furthermore, rational usage of drugs will help in reducing any morbidity due to infection which may sometimes develop when treated inappropriately, further decreasing development of dangerous drug resistance.

Research progress of necrotizing otitis externa / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Necrotizing otitis externa is a progressive infectious disease involving the external auditory canal and even the skull base, which can lead to serious complications and even death if not treated in time. In this paper, the latest advances in etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment were reviewed based on previous literature, providing reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment and future research.

Current diagnosis and treatment of skull base osteomyelitis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare, refractory, and potentially fatal disease primarily caused by otogenic and sino rhinogenic infections. At times, it can mimic neoplasia complicating the diagnosis. With the use of antibiotics, advancements in diagnostic methods, and skull base surgical techniques, the mortality rate has significantly improved. However, the successful diagnosis and treatment of the disease is still challenging due to delayed diagnosis, lengthy treatment course, a tendency for relapse and lack of guidelines. Therefore, this article aims to review the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of skull base osteomyelitis.

Predictive value of radiologic studies for malignant otitis externa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Necrotizing Otitis Externa (NOE) based on radiologic studies. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched. True-positive and false-negative results were extracted for each study. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Results: The included studies contained data on 37 studies diagnosed with NOE. The sensitivity of gallium-67, technetium-99m, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was 0.9378 (0.7688-0.9856), 0.9699 (0.8839-0.9927), and 0.9417 (0.6968-0.9913), respectively. For Computed Tomography (CT), the positive criteria consisted of bony erosion alone and bony erosion plus any soft tissue abnormality. The sensitivity of CT based only on bony erosion was 0.7062 (0.5954-0.7971); it was higher 0.9572 (0.9000-0.9823) when based on bony erosion plus any soft tissue abnormality. Conclusion: The diagnostic sensitivity of technetium-99m, gallium-67, and MRI was favorable. On CT, the presence of bony erosion may be a useful diagnostic marker of NOE, but the diagnostic sensitivity will be even higher if the criterion of any soft tissue abnormality is also included; however, care should be taken when interpreting the results. Our study demonstrates the potential utility of radiology studies for diagnosing NOE, but their lack of specificity must be considered, and standardized anatomic criteria are still needed. Level of evidence: 2A.

Homeopathy treatment of Malassezia Pachydermatis in vitro

A common clinical occurrence in dogs is otitis externa caused by excessive growth of yeasts Malassezia pachydermatis, which can become chronic after wrong treatments, in which microbial resistance can occur. Homeopathic remedies can be considered a successful alternative, selecting the medicine through the similitude principle. Herein, 50 µL of a 1:1000 dilution of Malassezia pachydermatis suspension at 0.5 McFarland scale was used to seed the yeast into Sabouraud dextrose agar plates using a Drigalski spreader to proceed with colony unit counting. Before being seeded, the yeast suspensions were treated with 1% of different homeopathic treatments previously selected from a pilot study, which means Sulphur 6cH, Dolichos pruriens 6cH, and Kali carbonicum 6cH, being water, and succussed water used as controls. For comparison, a set of Sabouraud dextrose agar plates containing 1% Tween 80 was seeded in parallel. The treatments were made blind and evaluated in triplicate. Contaminated cultures were withdrawn. The number of colonies per plate was assessed, and smears were made from the cultures to classify yeast growth according to cytomorphology on ImageJ®software. The preliminary results show no significant effect of all tested medicines compared to the controls. High data variability was also observed, mainly in those cultures whose medium was prepared with Twin 80. In conclusion, at this point of the study, no evidence of the effects of the studied medicines on Malassezia pachydermatis growth in vitro could be identified. The analysis of cytomorphology is still in course.

Facial nerve palsy in otitis externa: A red flag?

@#Otitis externa is an infection of the external auditory canal. It rarely results in facial palsy except in severe cases such as necrotizing otitis externa, which is a life-threatening invasive infection of the external auditory canal. Early recognition with prompt and appropriate treatment of necrotizing otitis externa is crucial to prevent more sinister complications. Here we report a case of an elderly gentleman who presented with otitis externa and developed facial palsy a month later. We identified possible problems that may have led to the complication so that such an occurrence can be prevented in the future.

Mycotic aortic aneurysm in a debilitated patient with compromised immunity; beware of Candida! / Aneurisma micótico da aorta em paciente debilitado com imunidade comprometida - um alerta para Cândida

Abstract Candida is a rare cause of infected aortic aneurysms. We report the case of a diabetic patient with end stage kidney disease who underwent repair of a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was on long-term antibiotic treatment for malignant otitis externa. Candida albicans was isolated from the culture of the excised aneurysm wall. An infected aortic aneurysm due to Candida has not been previously reported in a patient with malignant otitis externa. This case report aims to highlight that Candida should be suspected as a cause of infected aortic aneurysms in patients with debilitation and chronic immunosuppression. Management of such cases can be extremely challenging, especially in resource-poor settings, and we will be touching upon the advantages and disadvantages of various treatment options.

Resumo A cândida é uma causa rara de aneurismas da aorta infecciosos. Relatamos o caso de um paciente diabético com doença renal terminal, que foi submetido a reparo de aneurisma da aorta abdominal com vazamento. Ele estava em tratamento de longo prazo com antibióticos para otite externa maligna. A Candida albicans foi isolada da cultura da parede do aneurisma que sofreu a excisão. Não há relatos prévios de aneurisma da aorta infeccioso causado por cândida em pacientes com otite externa maligna. Este relato de caso visa reforçar que a cândida deve ser uma das suspeitas de causa de aneurisma da aorta infeccioso em pacientes debilitados e com imunossupressão crônica. O manejo desses casos pode ser extremamente desafiador, principalmente em contextos em que os recursos são escassos, e mencionaremos as vantagens e desvantagens das diversas opções de tratamento.

Otitis externa difusa: ¿una patología trivial?

Resumen La otitis externa es una patología frecuente en la consulta médica, se estima que 10% de las personas la padecerán al menos una vez en su vida, la presentación aguda cursa con afección del conducto auditivo externo de origen infeccioso en el 90% de los casos, llamada otitis externa difusa (OED). El presente artículo tiene como objetivo exponer la mejor evidencia actual que permita una descripción general de la patología, para ello se realizó una búsqueda de literatura científica en bases de datos reconocidas. Se encontró que la OED es caracterizada microbiológicamente por la presencia de Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Staphylococcus aureus, clínicamente los pacientes refieren otalgia lo que abre la puerta a una variedad de diagnósticos diferenciales y en el tratamiento se debe hacer una clasificación a partir de diversas variables (edad, compromiso auricular y estado inmunológico) a fin de determinar la vía terapéutica adecuada.

Abstract External otitis is a frequent pathology in the medical consultation, it is estimated that 10% of people will suffer it at least once in their life, the acute presentation compromises the external auditory canal of infectious origin in 90% of cases, called diffuse external otitis (DEO). The objective of this article is to present the best current evidence that allows a general description of the pathology, for which a search of scientific literature was carried out in recognized databases, finding that it was characterized microbiologically by the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, clinically, patients refer to otalgia generating a variety of differential diagnoses, and for treatment, a classification must be made based on various variables (age, atrial compromise, and immune status) in order to determine the appropriate therapeutic route.

Ocorrência de Staphylococcus spp. resistente à meticilina em otite externa canina / Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. in canine external otitis

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou traçar o perfil de resistência dos isolados de Staphylococcus spp. resistentes à meticilina (SMR) em cães com otite externa proveniente de atendimentos ambulatoriais ou de internação. Métodos: Isolamento e identificação bacteriológica por meio de provas bioquímicas e testes de susceptibilidade a antibacterianos. Detecção do gene mecA por PCR e determinação da concentração bactericida mínima (CBM) ao gluconato de clorexidina. Resultados: Foram coletadas 140 amostras e, destas, foram isolados 122 Staphylococcus spp. (49,4%). Dos isolados bacterianos, 14 cepas (11,47%) foram SMR (oito coagulase positiva e seis coagulase negativa), apresentando o gene mecA. A concentração bactericida mínima ao gluconato de clorexidina para os Staphylococcus spp. coagulase positiva foi de 500.000 mg/mL (0,5%) e para os coagulase negativa foi de 62.500 mg/mL (0,0625%). Cinco SMR foram positivos para o teste-D. Os SMR foram 100% sensíveis à linezolida, cloranfenicol e rifampicina. Conclusão: Apesar da baixa frequência da multirresistência encontrada, existe a necessidade de monitoramento efetivo em estirpes isoladas de animais domésticos, garantindo o sucesso do tratamento e controle da resistência bacteriana em infecções otológicas caninas.

Objective: The objective of this study is to outline the resistance profile of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS) isolates from outpatient and inpatient care dogs diagnosed with otopathy. Methods: Isolation and bacteriological identification through biochemical tests and antibacterial susceptibility testing. Detection of mecA gene by PCR and determination of minimum bactericidal concentration (CBM) to chlorhexidine gluconate. Results: 140 samples were collected and from these 122 was Staphylococcus spp. (49.4%). Of all bacterial isolates 14 (11.47%) were MRS (eight coagulase positive and six coagulase negative) with mecA gene. The minimum bactericidal concentration to chlorhexidine guconate was 500,000 mg/mL (0.5%) for coagulase positive Staphylococcus spp. and 62,500 mg/mL (0.0625%) for coagulase negative. Five MRS were positive for D-test. The MRS were 100% sensitive to linezolide, chloramphenicol and rifampicin. Conclusion: Despite the low frequency of multiressitance found, there is a need for more effective monitoring in strains isolated from domestic animals to guarantee successful treatment and control of bacterial resistance in canine otological infections.

Necrotizing Otitis Externa: A Disease Barely Known to Neurosurgeons

Necrotizing otitis externa (NOE), also known as malignant otitis externa (MOE), is a severe and rare infectious disease of the external auditory canal (EAC). Without treatment, it may progress to skull base involvement. The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common causative agent (90% of the cases), and affects immunocompromised subjects, particularly diabetic patients. Severe chronic otalgia, otorrhea, and cranial nerve palsy are the most common clinical presentations. Patients with NOE are frequently referred to neurosurgery because of the neurological impairment and skull base compromise. The definitive diagnosis is frequently elusive, requiring a high index of suspicion. Several laboratorial tests, imaging modalities, and the histologic exclusion of malignancy may be required. An early diagnosis and aggressive treatment reduce morbidity and mortality. We present four NOE cases to illustrate the spectrum of clinical presentation and complementary exams. According to the literature, more effort for early diagnosis and treatment is required, and neurosurgeons play an important role in this task.

Tuberculosis cutánea en pabellón auricular: reporte de un caso / Cutaneous tuberculosis in ear auricle: a case report

RESUMEN La tuberculosis cutánea representa menos del 2% de todos los casos de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Su baja prevalencia, asociada a la amplia variedad en la presentación clínica de las lesiones, dificulta y retrasa el diagnóstico y, por tanto, el inicio del tratamiento. El siguiente es el caso de una paciente de 80 años, con una lesión ulcerada, crónica, en pabellón auricular izquierdo, con evolución tórpida y pobre respuesta al manejo farmacológico instaurado; con biopsia de piel que mostró reacción inflamatoria crónica y presencia de bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes.

ABSTRACT Cutaneous tuberculosis represents less than 2% of all cases of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its low prevalence, associated with a wide variety in clinical presentation of the lesions, hinders and delays the diagnosis and, thus, treatment initiation. The following is the case of an 80-years old, female patient with an ulcerated, chronic lesion in the left ear auricle, with a torpid evolution and poor response to established pharmacological management; with a skin biopsy that showed chronic inflammatory reaction and the presence of acid-fast bacilli.

Literature Review on Patient Demographics, Risk Factors and Causative Agents of Otomycosis

Background: Otomycosis can be defined as a fungal infection of the external auditory canal, frequentlyencountered in the general otolaryngology department. Otomycosis is more commonly reported in hot andhumid climates and various individual as well as environmental factors predispose to this infection. Otomycosisis not only a prevalent condition but also follows a set patterns in patient demographics, predisposing factorsand, causative pathogens, which we aim to explore in this review. Objectives: In this review, we intend to shedlight on the prevalence of otomycosis, along with the characteristics of patients that are most commonlypresented with this condition including age, gender, occupation, socioeconomic class, as well as complains. Wealso aim to elucidate the various predisposing risk factors that increase the likelihood of contracting otomycosisand explore the usually encountered pathogenic causes. Materials and Methods: A review of relevant articlespublished between the years of 1975 to 2019 in English language was done using the databases of PubMed Pico,Google Scholar and Google, using the predetermined keywords. Conclusion: Otomycosis is a prevalent fungalear infection mostly seen in young patients between the ages of 21-30 years. Otomycosis mostly involves oneear, and bilateral involvement is mostly observed in immunodeficient patients. The most frequently reported riskfactors include self-cleaning of ears with objects such as Q-tips, wooden sticks, metal pickers, instillation ofmustard oil in ears, undue use of antibiotic ear drops, and swimming. Otomycosis causative organism isespecially Aspergillus and Candida while concomitant bacterial infection can be seen in several cases ofotomycosis, the most common implicated bacteria being staphylococcus aureus. This literature reviewhighlights the need for education to eradicate the aforementioned predisposing risk factors to reduce theincidence of otomycosis.

Carriage of Staphylococcus schleiferi from canine otitis externa: antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence factors associated with skin infection

The recent emergence of Staphylococcus schleiferi in dogs with otitis externa or skin and soft tissue infections has become a significant zoonotic issues. In the current study, we investigated 1) the carriage rates of S. schleiferi among major staphylococci in healthy dogs and dogs with otitis externa, 2) antibiotic susceptibility profiles of S. schleiferi, particularly methicillin resistance (MR), and 3) virulence factors associated with skin and soft tissue infections such as ability to form biofilm, resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs), and carriage of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes. Among the 21 S. schleiferi isolates, 5 isolates (24%) were determined to be methicillin-resistant (MRSS). Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing revealed the presence of SCCmec type V in 4 MRSS isolates and type VII in one MRSS. Higher levels of antibiotic resistance, especially multidrug resistance, were observed in MRSS isolates compared to the methicillin-susceptible S. schleiferi (MSSS) isolates. In addition, MRSS isolates exhibited enhanced ability to form biofilm under static condition and all the 5 MRSS isolates carried three or more enterotoxin genes. However, there were no significant differences in resistance to CAMPs between MRSS and MSSS isolates. These findings suggest that coagulase-negative S. schleiferi is becoming more prevalent in canine otitis externa cases. Our results also highlight the presence of multidrug-resistant MRSS isolates with enhanced biofilm production and carriage of multiple enterotoxins.

Otitis Externa in Secondary Care: A Change in Our Practice Following a Full Cycle Audit

Abstract Introduction Patients presenting with otitis externa are a common thing in otolaryngology units. However, the practice has not been standardized due to a lack of consensus over the management of this condition in secondary care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelinehas beenpublished targetingthe general practitioners, but it may be relevant in cases of hospital first-time attenders. Objective To conduct an audit of the investigative and prescription practice for hospital first-time attenders in our department against the NICE guideline for otitis externa. Methods The case notes of the patients presenting with otitis externa were reviewed. The data collation included the performance of ear swabs and choice of eardrops. Results An initial audit showed that ear swabs were sent in 14 out of 19 cases, of which 11 grew either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus (organisms that are sensitive to empirical treatment). A re-audit showed higher adherence to NICE recommendations, with ear swabs sent in only 3 out of 25 cases. The initial audit also demonstrated Sofradex (Sanofi-Aventis, Paris, France) as the most popular empirical eardrop. Following our recommendation, the re-audit showed that Betnesol-N (GSK, Brentford, UK) was administered in 24 out of 25 cases. Conclusion We recommend Betnesol-N due to its cost-effectiveness. Ear swabs should be reserved for refractory cases only. Posters and email reminders are effective means of disseminating information within the hospital.

Estudio clínico y micológico de otomicosis en diabéticos: una serie de 17 casos / Clinical and mycological study of otomycosis in diabetics: series of 17 cases

RESUMEN Introducción: La otomicosis en pacientes inmunosuprimidos esta caracterizada por ser bilateral y ser causada por candida. Pocos estudios comparan las características micológicas encontradas en la microscopía directa y el cultivo. Objetivo: Identificar las características clínicas y micológicas de la otomicosis en pacientes diabéticos. Material y método: Estudio transversal en centro hospitalario de segundo nivel. Criterios de inclusión: pacientes diabéticos con diagnóstico clínico de otomicosis. Intervención: la muestra se examinó directamente bajo el microscopio y se cultivó. Resultados: Se incluyeron 17 pacientes, 10 mujeres y 7 hombres con una edad media de 47,5 años. Los síntomas predominantes fueron hipoacusia en 91,4% (n =16), prurito en 82,4% (n =14), otorrea en 76,5% (n=13)y otalgia en 70,6% (n =12). Afección bilateral se encontró en 47,1% (n =8). Estudio directo al microscopio mostró levaduras en 94,1% (n =16) y 5,9% mostró aspergillus (n =1). Cándida fue el género más comúnmente encontrado en los cultivos y en el examen directo microscópico con 94,1% (n =16) y Candida albicans la especie más común con 88,2% (n =15). Conclusión: Candida albicans es el agente etiológico más común en pacientes diabéticos con otomicosis. Su presentación clínica más frecuente es hipoacusia, prurito y otorrea. El examen directo identificó adecuadamente a los géneros fúngicos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Otomycosis in immunocompromised patients is characterize by its bilateral course and the predominant etiologic agent is Candida. Few studies compare the mycological features between microscopic direct exam and culture. Aim: To identify the clinical and mycological characteristics of otomycosis in diabetic patients. Material and method: Transversal study. Secondary care center. Inclusion criteria: diabetic patients with clinical diagnosis of otomycosis. Intervention: Direct examination under a microscope of the ear sample and culture. Results: We included 17 patients, 10 women, 7 men with a mean age of 47.5 years. Symptoms were hearing loss 94.1% (n = 16), pruritus 82.4% (n =14) otorrhoea 76.5% (n =13) and otalgia 70.6% (n =12). Bilateral involvement was found in 47.1% (n =8). Direct microscopic study found 94.1% of yeast (n =16) and 5.9% of Aspergillus (n =1). Candida was the most common fungal genus in culture and microscopic exam with 94.1% (n =16) of cases and Candida albicans was the most common species in 88.2% (n =15) cases. Conclusion: Candida albicans is the most common etiologic agent in diabetic patients with otomycosis. Main symptoms were hearing loss, itching and otorrhea. Direct exam correctly identified the fungal genus.

Effect observation of cleaning up the external auditory canal by otoendoscope combined with Clotrimazole Ointment in the treatment of pregnancy with otitis externa mycotica / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

To investigate the clinical effect of cleaning up the external auditory canal under otoendoscope combined with Clotrimazole Ointment in the treatment of pregnancy with otitis externa mycotica.From May 2015 to May 2017,16 cases of pregnant patients(19 ears)with otitis externa mycotica were divided into two groups:pure cleaning up group and cleaning up combined with medication group.In the pure cleaning up group,external auditory canal were only cleaned up under otoendoscope conventionally in 9 patients(11 ears),while in the cleaning up combined with medication group,Clotrimazole Ointment was topically applied after cleaning up the external auditory canal under otoendoscope in 7 patients(8 ears).After treatment of 2 weeks,the clinical curative effect,adverse reaction and average time interval to take effect were compared at the end of treatment.The total effective rate(100%)in cleaning up combined with medication group's was significantly better than that in pure cleaning up group's(81.81%)(<0.05);The average time interval to take effect in cleaning up combined with medication groupwas significantly shorter than that in pure cleaning up group's[(2.71±0.70)d vs(5.40±1.96)d,<0.05].After the two-week treatment,there was a four-week follow-up.Only one patient in pure cleaning up group relapsed.After two-week treatment by Clotrimazole Ointment,this patient was cured.Cleaning up the external auditory canal under otoendoscope combined with Clotrimazole Ointment is effective and safe for the treatment of otitis externa mycotica in pregnant women.The addition of topical application of Clotrimazole Ointment further improve the therapeutic efficacy,as compared to the conventional method of cleaning up the external auditory canal under otoendoscope.We suggest clinical application of this method.

Caracterización clínica, epidemiológica y terapéutica de los pacientes con otitis externa maligna / Clinical, epidemiological and therapeutical characterization of patients with malignant external

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de serie de casos, de 42 pacientes con otitis externa maligna, atendidos en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba desde enero de 2002 hasta diciembre de 2014 y tratados básicamente con ciprofloxacina, a fin de caracterizarles clínica, epidemiológica y terapéuticamente, así como determinar su evolución clínica con el tratamiento indicado. También se incluyó un segundo grupo de 29 integrantes con la misma afección, quienes durante esos 12 años recibieron otros antibióticos y no la citada quinolona, tratados igualmente en dicho Servicio durante el período señalado. Entre los principales resultados sobresalió el predominio del grupo etario de 55-64 años (30,6 por ciento) en los que se utilizó ciprofloxacino y de 75 y más (74,8 por ciento) en los que se indicaron otros antimicrobianos; del tiempo de evolución de la diabetes mellitus de 0-10 años en 24 (57,1 por ciento) de quienes recibieron ciprofloxacino y en 14 (48,2 por ciento) de aquellos que no la consumieron y de la Pseudomonas aeruginosa como el germen más frecuentemente aislado. La evolución de los pacientes fue favorable, independientemente del tratamiento antimicrobiano prescrito, pero todos los tratados con ciprofloxacina egresaron en menos de 30 días mejorados o curados. Se concluyó que la edad avanzada favorece la aparición de la otitis externa maligna, sin importar el tiempo de evolución de la diabetes mellitus

A descriptive, serial cases study, of 42 patients with malignant external otitis was carried out. They were assisted in the Otolaryngology Service of Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba from January, 2002 to December, 2014 and treated basically with ciprofloxacin, in order to characterize them clinical, epidemiological and therapeutically, as well as to determine their clinical course with the suitable treatment. A second group of 29 members with the same disorder was also included who received other antibiotics during those 12 years, treated in this Service during that period. Among the main results there was a prevalence of the 55-64 years age group (30.6 percent) in which ciprofloxacin was used and over 75 years (74.8 percent) in which other antimicrobians were indicated; of the time in the diabetes mellitus course 0-10 years in 24 (57.1 percent) of those who received ciprofloxacin and in 14 (48.2 percent) of those that didn't consume it and of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the most frequently isolated germ. The patients had a favorable clinical course, no matter the antimicrobian prescribed treatment, but all the patients treated with ciprofloxacin got better or were cured and were discharged in less than 30 days. It was concluded that the advanced age favors the emergence of the malignant external otitis, no matter the time of the diabetes mellitus course

Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Malignant External Otitis

OBJECTIVES: Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a potentially fatal infection of the external auditory canal, temporal bone, and skull base. Despite treatment with modern antibiotics, MEO can lead to skull base osteomyelitis. Until now, there have been few studies on the prognostic factors of MEO. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to identify prognostic factors of MEO, and a meta-analysis of other articles investigating MEO. On the basis of disease progression the 28 patients in our study were divided into ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ groups, consisting of 12 and 16 patients, respectively. We identified three categories of prognostic factors: those related to patient, disease, and treatment. We compared these prognostic factors between the controlled and uncontrolled groups. RESULTS: In our study, the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), presence of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging findings influenced the prognosis of MEO. In contrast, prognosis was unrelated to age, gender, mean glucose level, hemoglobin A1c level, pathogen, comorbidity, or cranial nerve involvement. No factor related to treatment modality was correlated with prognosis, such as surgery, steroid therapy, or interval to the first appropriate treatment. Cranial nerve involvement has been proven to be associated with disease progression, but the relationship between cranial nerve involvement and the prognosis of MEO remains controversial. As a part of this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of cranial nerve involvement as a prognostic factor of MEO. We found that cranial nerve involvement has a statistically significant influence on the prognosis of MEO. CONCLUSION: We found that glycemic control in diabetes mellitus, cranial nerve involvement, and the extent of disease determined from various imaging modalities influence the prognosis of MEO. We suggest that significant prognostic factors should be monitored to determine the prognosis of patients with MEO.

Phenotypic characterization of canine Malassezia spp., isolates / Caracterización fenotípica de aislamientos de Malassezia spp., de origen canino

ABSTRACT Objective . To characterize and identify yeasts of the genus Malassezia by phenotypic features. Materials and methods. First, the macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics were described. In addition we performed biochemical and physiological assays as Tweens and Cremophor, including more. Results. Our results evidenced of 105 isolates obtained from dogs diagnosed with external otitis, it was possible to identify two distinct species from 46 isolates within the Malassezia genus: 36.19% (n=38) were identified as M. pachydermatis and 7.62% (n=8) as M. furfur. According to phenotypic patterns the remaining 56.19% (n=59) were reported as Malassezia spp., possibly corresponding to M. furfur and/or M. pachydermatis. Conclusions. Results emphasize the necessity to characterize according to species. It is not feasible to define Malassezia by species based on morphological, biochemical, and physiological findings. Therefore, molecular genotyping should be performed to identify markers allowing a more precise isolate identification. This would broaden our epidemiological knowledge regarding different species involved in canine otitis pathologies.

RESUMEN Objetivo . Caracterizar e identificar levaduras del género Malassezia, mediante características fenotípicas. Materiales y métodos . Inicialmente se describieron las características morfológicas macroscópicas y microscópicas, adicionalmente se realizaron pruebas bioquímicas y fisiológicas como Tween y Cremophor, entre otras. Resultados . De 105 aislamientos de caninos diagnosticados previamente con otitis, 46 fueron caracterizados hasta especie, así: El 36.19% (n=38) correspondió a M. pachydermatis, el 7.2% (n=8) a M. furfur; y 56.19% (n=59) restante fueron reportados como Malassezia spp., debido a los patrones fenotípicos atípicos que presentaron, y que podrían corresponder a variantes de M. furfur y/o M. pachydermatis. Conclusión. Estos resultados enfatizan la necesidad de hacer una caracterización a nivel de especie y/o genotipos mediante marcadores moleculares que permitan una identificación más precisa de los aislamientos. Con el presente estudio, se contribuye al conocimiento de las diferentes especies involucradas en patologías óticas en caninos.