Abstract
This study was performed to explore the antimicrobial activity of two commercially available oxymetazoline hydrochloride preparations against the common pathogens of otitis media and to demonstrate the lack of ototoxicity of these agents and of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) oxymetazoline in a standard animal model. Disc diffusion assays and minimum inhibitory concentration studies against American Type Culture Collection reference strains of common middle ear pathogens were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of oxymetazoline solutions and fluoroquinolone drops, and outer hair cell counts were performed on scanning electron micrographs of guinea pig basal cochlear segments after chronic exposure to oxymetazoline solutions and positive and negative controls. Oxymetazoline nasal spray and eyedrops had activity against all species tested except Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The USP oxymetazoline had limited antimicrobial activity. Oxymetazoline nasal spray, oxymetazoline eyedrops, and USP oxymetazoline had ototoxicity profiles indistinguishable from that of the saline solution control. Commercially available oxymetazoline solutions are active against several of the common pathogens of otitis media. This antimicrobial activity is not due to oxymetazoline, and is more likely due to preservatives present in the solutions. The solutions tested are not ototoxic to guinea pig outer hair cells. Oxymetazoline solutions are potential substitutes for broad-spectrum antibiotic drops after tympanostomy tube placement.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.