Influence of human wet cerumen on the growth of common and pathogenic bacteria of the ear

Campos, Ana Carolina da Cruz; Betancor, Laura; Arias, Á.; Rodrı́guez, Covadonga; Hernández, A. M.; Aguado, D. Lopez; Sierra, A.

doi:10.1258/0022215001904635

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…[7,14] However other studies have reported a lack of bactericidal eff ect of cerumen on P. aeruginosa. [15,16,19] Megarry et al, and Lum et al, studied the mycocidal eff ect of cerumen consistent with our study. [7,9] Interestingly, our study shows that the human cerumen has more antibacterial property as compared to antifungal property.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…[12] Our fi ndings on the bactericidal eff ect of cerumen on E. coli are consistent with Stone and Fulghum, Chai and Chai and Bauman et al, [13][14][15] However, Lum et al, and Campos et al, found insignifi cant bactericidal eff ect and stated that Escherichia coli is not a normal commensal of the ear canal, and thus may not be recognized by the immune system of the ear canal. [7,16] Campos et al, showed that an increase in growth occurred much more frequently than a decrease in growth in almost every microorganism tested with wet cerumen, with the mean increase percentage being much higher than the mean decrease percentage, except in the case of S. aureus. [16] Burtenshaw reported inconsistent bactericidal activity of cerumen against S. aureus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…[7,16] Campos et al, showed that an increase in growth occurred much more frequently than a decrease in growth in almost every microorganism tested with wet cerumen, with the mean increase percentage being much higher than the mean decrease percentage, except in the case of S. aureus. [16] Burtenshaw reported inconsistent bactericidal activity of cerumen against S. aureus. [17] Megarry et al, Stone and Fulghum reported a signifi cant bactericidal activity similar to our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A study of antibacterial and antifungal properties of human cerumen

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A study of antibacterial and antifungal properties of human cerumen

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The argumentation against a bactericidal activity are based on the consideration that the rich nutrients of ear wax enable bacteria and fungi to grow [57][58][59][60][61]. On the other hand there are several reports describing an antimicrobial effect of ear wax with an effect against a wide range of bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and fungi [61][62][63][64][65][66].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human antimicrobial proteins in ear wax

Schwaab

Gurr

Neumann

et al. 2011

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Antimicrobial peptides (AMP)Generally speaking surfaces like the skin or the oral mucosa are protected by several factors including the adaptive and innate immune systems against invading bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial mucosal shield of the human airways has been subject of several studies and is well investigated [1][2][3]. A growing number of different human antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have been described which are produced e. g. by surface epithelial cells or by neutrophil granulocytes. The AMPs have a broad, but not identical spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, virus or fungi. A synergistic and additive effect of different AMPs has been reported [4]. In addition to their antimicrobial charactics, AMPs play a major part in inflammation, immune activation, and wound healing [5][6][7]. Some of the well described AMPs are subject to this study and therefore will be further described. The human ß-Defensins (hBD)The family of human ß-Defensins (hBD) is named after their beta-sheet structure which is stabilised by intramolecular disulfide bonds. Human ß-Defensin 1 (hBD1) was first isolated from hemofiltrate [8] and is expressed in epithelial cells of the urinary, respiratory tract and in keratinocytes [9][10]. It has a strong antimicrobial effect on Gram-negative bacteria [11][12]. Human ß-Defensin 2 (hBD2) is an inducible (by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori, Lipoprotienacid, Candida albicans, TumorNecrosis-Factor-α, Interleucine1-ß) peptide [13][14][15] with a strong antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, and a relatively weak effect on Staphylococcus aureus [13]. The human ß-Defensin 3 (hBD3) can be induced by tumor necrosis factor α and contact with Pseudmonas aeruginosa or Staphalyococcus aureus e. g. in keratinocytes [16]. HBD3 has antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin restistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans and Haemophilus influenza [9; 12; 17]. Human LL-37 (LL-37)LL-37 is the 37-amino acid long C-terminus and the antimicrobial active component of the human Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide 18 (hCAP-18). It is expressed in leukocytes (monocytes, neutrophiles, T-cells, B-cells), epithelial cells (skin, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract) and secreted into wound and airway surface fluid [18][19][20][21]. LL-37 alone and in combination with other AMPs is bactericidal against a broad spectrum of [21][22][23]. Apart from the antimicrobial activity LL-37 plays a role in angiogenesis, cancer development, neutralisation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and is chemotactic for human monocytes, neutrophils and CD 4 T-lymphocytes [24-26.]. Human Secretory Leucoprotease Inhibitor (hSLPI)hSLPI is a 11.7-kDa heavy protein which is expressed in macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells [27-28.].The antimicrobial activity against Gram-negativ...

show abstract

“…Some anti-fungal activity was shown against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis [15,16], common ear fungal pathogens [17]. Nevertheless, these results were challenged by the finding that fresh cerumen hosts many bacteria and fungi [2,20,24], with bacterial counts as high as 10 7 g -1 cerumen [3], and recently by the observation that human cerumen is more likely to increase than to decrease the growth of many bacteria [4], putting the antimicrobial properties of cerumen under further doubt. Here we demonstrate that it could host, and its components (proteins, lipids, and cholesterol) could serve as food sources for multiple bacterial species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%