ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate Demodex species infestation in patients with ear itching. The relationship between the severity of ear itching and Demodex spp. positivity has not been previously reported in the literature, and we believe that our study will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the etiology of ear itching. METHODS: Fifty patients with itching ears and 54 healthy control patients were asked to use a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate the itch, the itching period, and the medication used for the itching. All samples were evaluated for Demodex spp. under a light microscope. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of numbers of Demodex spp. (p=0.154), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of Demodex spp. positivity (p=0.054). Despite the lack of statistically significant differences, Demodex spp. infestations were more common in the affected group than in the control group. A positive and strongly significant relationship was observed between the number of Demodex spp. and severity of ear itch in the patient group based on VAS scores (p=0.0001; r=0.724). CONCLUSION: We found that an increased number of Demodex spp. was strongly related to increased severity of ear itching.
Subject(s)
Cerumen/chemistry , Ear Canal/physiology , Mite Infestations/complications , Mites/physiology , Pruritus/etiology , Adult , Age Distribution , Animals , Case-Control Studies , Cerumen/enzymology , Cerumen/physiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Ear Canal/parasitology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mite Infestations/drug therapy , Mite Infestations/epidemiology , Mites/classification , Mites/growth & development , Pruritus/epidemiology , Pruritus/parasitology , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
The ceruminous glands of the external auditory canal skin of 20 patients suffering from otosclerosis were examined histologically and histochemically. The histological changes included flattening of the lining cells and widening of the lumina of the glands. Histochemical alterations were in the form of diminished succinic dehydrogenase, alpha esterase and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities. The histological and histochemical changes indicated that atrophy of the ceruminous glands with diminished wax production occurred in some otosclerotic patients. This atrophy may be secondary to the involvement of the ground substance, vessels and nerves of the external auditory canal by the same etiologic factor responsible for the pathogenesis of the otosclerotic process.
Subject(s)
Cerumen , Ear Canal/pathology , Otosclerosis/pathology , Cerumen/enzymology , Exocrine Glands/pathology , Histocytochemistry , HumansABSTRACT
The ceruminous glands have been studied histologically and histochemically in twenty patients suffering from chronic suppurative otitis media with discharging ears, and in ten patients with dry central perforations, in comparison with normal ears. The present study revealed hyperactivity of the glands initially; later on, atrophy and fibrosis took place. Thus the diminution of wax may be due to: (1) The washing effect of the discharge. (2) Atrophy of the glandular structures. (3) Periglandular fibrosis. As the discharge stops, regeneration of the glands occurs.
