Ear Exudate Research Articles

Otomycosis in Patients Attending a Tertiary Health-care Institution in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

Introduction: Otomycosis is a superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal (EAC). The hot, humid, and dusty environment of the tropics and subtropics makes otomycosis more prevalent in these regions. It can be acute or chronic, and usually manifest by aural pruritus, aural fullness, otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Aim/Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of etiological agents of otomycosis in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional tertiary hospital-based study. One hundred patients with symptoms of otomycosis were recruited from the ENT outpatient clinic of UDUTH Sokoto. Swabs from the ears were taken and evaluated for fungal agents, sociodemographic factors, symptomatology, and risk factors were analyzed. Data analysis was performed with IBM-SPSS 25.0. Results: The patient’s age range of 4–57 years (mean of 18.78 ± 10.67) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1; about 124 ear exudates were analyzed, in 75 (60.5%) of ear discharge, 7 different varieties of fungi were isolated, while in 49 (39.5%), there was no fungal growth on culture. The etiological agents found in our study were Aspergillus niger 30 (40.0%) was the most commonly isolated fungi in this study, followed by Candida albicans 25 (33.3%), Aspergillus fumigatus 5 (6.7%), Mucor 5 (6.7%), Penicillium 4 (5.3%), Aspergillus flavus 3 (4.0%), and Rhizopus 3 (4.0%) with A. niger as the most predominant. Conclusion: Otomycosis affects all age groups and both sexes, could be asymptomatic and if left untreated may result to morbidity. Mycological studies should be carried out on all patients with symptoms Otomycosis, this guide to proper management of the disease.

Evaluation of Zepp’s Procedure in Management of Chronic Otitis Externa in Dogs

The study was conducted on 10 dogs presented at VCC, VSR, CVAS Bikaner with the owner complaint of consistent shaking of head and scratching of ear, rubbing of ear to hard object, purulent foul smelling discharge from ear and also had history of long medicinal treatment using NSAIDS, steroids and antibiotics. Clinical otoscopic examination of the ears revealed purulent odoriferous discharge, with stenosis and calcification of lateral ear canal in some cases. For definitive diagnosis ear exudate was collected in sterile swabs inserted in lateral ear canal using otoscope, and it was evaluated for parasites, bacteria, fungi, yeast. Skull radiography was performed to evaluate calcification in the ear canal and involvement of middle ear. After thorough examination it was concluded that the animals were suffered from chronic otitis externa and decided to perform zepps procedure (lateral ear canal resection) to increase drainage, facilitate ventilation of ear canal and easy placement of topical agents into horizontal ear canal. Zepp’s procedure was performed under general anaesthesia; post-operative care was done using regular application of topical steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics along with systemic antibiotics. After one month of post-operative care four ear showed excellent healing and dryness of the ear, Infection subsided in three ears and no improvement was seen in three ears. Microbiology suggested mixed bacterial infection in 6 dogs. Zepp’s procedure is a conservative surgical operation found to be a choice of surgical management in cases of early stages of otitis externa which has not been progressed to otitis media.

Isolation of emerging human pathogens and foodborne pathogens in clinical cases of infections from dogs and cats admitted to a veterinary clinic in northern Portugal

Nowadays, dogs and cats are considered family members, translating into increased proximity to humans. Studies have shown that 40-60% of owners have very close interactions e.g., sharing the same dish, face lickings, or sleeping on the same bed. This promotes the exchange of microorganisms between species. Therefore, an One Health approach should be applied to encompass both human and animal health problems. In this study, 37 cases of companion animals (54.1% dogs and 45.9% cats) in a veterinary clinic in northern Portugal were analysed, and urinary and eye infections, respiratory conditions, and dermatological problems were confirmed. According to sample type, 43.2% were from urine, 13.5% from ear exudate, 8.1% from skin exudate, 8.1% from trachealexudate, 2.7% from vaginal exudate, 2.7% from conjunctiva exudate, 2.7% from purulent exudate, 2.7% from bronchoalveolar exudate, 2.7% from ocular exudate, and 2.7% from blood. In all, 21 pathogen species were isolated, of which Pantoea agglomerans, Cronobacter sakazakii, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Sphingomonas paucimobilis are currently considered emerging agents of human infection. The occurrence of these species was 2.4% for Leclercia adecarboxylata (one young male cat), 2.4% for Pantoea agglomerans (one adult male dog), 2.4% for Cronobacter sakazakii (one adult male dog), and 2.4% for Sphingomonas paucimobilis (one adult male dog). Leclercia adecarboxylata is a gram-negative bacillus of the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a ‘novel’ rare human pathogen, mostly affecting immunocompromised individuals or causing polymicrobial infections in immunocompetent patients. Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen that causes necrotizing enterocolitis and bacteremia in humans, Pantoea agglomerans is associated with a hospital-acquired infection, mostly in immunocompromised individuals with a fatal outcome. Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an emerging opportunistic bacterium with a particular tropism toward bones and soft tissues. The intimate relationship between humans and companion animals presents a potential risk for the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, more research based on an One Health approach should be performed to more accurately determine the occurrence and incidence of emerging agents between species.

Microbiology of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media amongst Children Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a global middle ear disease worst in developing nations of the world. The burden in our environment of repeated episodes of childhood CSOM, and the resultant difficulty in the management of these patients because of improper or inadequate treatment is quite worrisome.
 Aim: The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the aspirated middle ear exudates of paediatric patients with CSOM for both facultative aerobic bacteria and fungi, with their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns.
 Materials and Methods: A total of 166 children clinically diagnosed with CSOM were enrolled in the study, of which 219 middle ear discharge samples were obtained using sterile disposable plastic Pasteur pipettes and cultured for microbial flora. Drug susceptibility testing for the isolated microbes was conducted using the Kirby‑Bauer disc diffusion method.
 Results: The ratio of facultative aerobic bacteria to fungi was 2.1: 1, while the ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative aerobic bacteria was 1: 1.7. The most common causative aerobic organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus 41/202 (20.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 30/202 (14.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia 23/202 (11.4%), and Proteus mirabilis 21/202 (10.4%). Aspergillus species 47/202 (23.3%) and Candida albicans 21/202 (10.4%) were the commonest fungal isolates. The antimicrobial profile of aerobic isolates revealed maximum sensitivity to gentamycin (91.1%), ceftriaxone (90.1%), and ciprofloxacin (85.6%); while the isolated fungi were completely sensitive to all the antifungals.
 Conclusion: The main isolates were Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, though Gram-positive aerobes and fungi were also isolated. Their varying antimicrobial susceptibility brings to the fore, the therapeutic significance of these drugs in CSOM management.

Possibilities of using recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I in otorhinolaryngology

Dornase alfa (Pulmozyme, Tigerase) is a purified solution of recombinant human DNase, clinically developed for the treatment of pulmonary diseases in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The action of the drug is aimed at destroying the viscous secretion, rich in DNA strands of neutrophils, through their fragmentation, the density of the secretion decreases, and the aeration of the lower respiratory tract improves. The similarity of pathological processes with the formation of viscous exudate on the surface of the mucous membrane in diseases of the upper respiratory tract and ear initiated studies on the use of Dornase alpha in otorhinolaryngology. The analysis of materials of domestic and foreign authors on the effectiveness of the use of the drug Dornase alfa in otorhinolaryngology was carried out. The review included 132 patients (10 studies) in whom Dornase alfa was used to treat CF-associated nasal and paranasal sinus diseases. Analysis of the literature revealed only 3 studies, one of which consisted of two parts, examining the effect of Dornase alpha on middle ear exudate: two studies were demonstrated in an animal model; one - in vitro on samples of middle ear effusion which were aspirated through a myringotomy incision from patients with recurrent acute otitis media; and one in clinical 40 patients (40 ears) for hydrolysis of exudate in the tympanostomy tubes. Analysis of studies on the use of Dornase alfa demonstrates an improvement in clinical symptoms in all patients with CF and chronic rhinosinusitis. In experimental studies on an animal model, as well as in vitro research on exudate from the middle ear, Dornase alfa has demonstrated high efficacy and safety. Dornase alfa is a drug with high potential, further research is needed for wider use in ENT practice, especially in otiatrics.

Multidrug Resistance Tracing by Plasmid Profile Analysis and the Curing of Bacteria from Different Clinical Specimens

Human-pathogenic bacteria resistant to one or multiple antibiotics have dramatically increased worldwide in the past decades. These bacteria possess great danger, have become a global issue, and it is now impossible to avoid developing strategies for the restoration of treatment options against infections caused by them. This research aims at profiling plasmids of multidrug-resistant bacteria from various clinical specimens such as ear exudate, sputum, urethral swab, wound swab, urine from the catheter, urine, nasal swab, high vaginal swab, stool, eye swab, and blood at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Our investigation used the agar diffusion method for susceptibility tests and identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria before plasmid extraction and gel electrophoresis. A plasmid curing test was performed with 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate. Of the 860 bacteria whose resistance profile was determined, only 42 were multidrug-resistant. These bacteria include Pseudomonas aeruginosa 16 (38.10%), Staphylococcus aureus 12 (28.57%), Escherichia coli 9 (21.43%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae 5(11.90%). The molecular weight of their plasmids ranges between 20.884 kbp and 187.50 kbp. As indicated by the plasmid bands, some bacteria had similar molecular weight while others had no plasmid. The bacterial pattern of the postcuring sensitivity test showed that the bacteria with plasmid bands were cured as they became susceptible to the drugs they were previously resistant to, while the bacteria without plasmid bands remained resistant to the antibiotics. This implies that the latter’s multidrug resistance is nonplasmid mediated. Our analyses highlight the relationship between plasmids and multidrug resistance as well as the role of plasmids in the transmission of drug resistance across bacteria. Thus, in order to lessen the burden that multidrug-resistant bacteria cause and to improve bacterial infections treatments, there should be continued surveillance and periodic research on antibiotic resistance patterns of bacteria from various clinical settings.

Multidrug-Resistant and Extremely Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Samples From a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Nigeria.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been globally implicated in healthcare-associated infection. The susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa to anti-pseudomonal antibiotics is reported. Clinical samples, namely blood, urine, tracheal aspirate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), wound swabs, high vaginal swabs, eye, and ear exudates were obtained from patients, processed and identified using standard microbiological protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was undertaken using the Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method. Results were reported following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Of 104 P. aeruginosa isolates identified, males (52.88%) had a higher incidence of infection than female (47.11%) patients. The highest prevalence was recorded from wound swabs [46 (44.23%)] followed by ear exudates [23 (22.12%)], urine [22 (21.15%)], while eye exudates and samples from the CSF yielded the least [1 (0.96% each)]. From the antibiogram, imipenem had the highest antibiotic activity (91.3%) followed by polymyxin B (84.6%). The isolates exhibited the highest resistance to ceftazidime (73.1%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (61.5%). The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa isolates revealed 7.69% susceptible, 26% resistant, 61% multidrug resistance (MDR), 5% extremely drug resistance (XDR), and an absence (0%) of pandrug-resistant phenotypes. The study recorded alarmingly high cases of MDR and some XDR phenotypes of P. aeruginosa in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. It will help identify existing gaps in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and assist in improving public health policies regarding antibiotic stewardship, initiatives, and interventions.

Characteristic and Otopathogenic Analysis of a Vibrio alginolyticus Strain Responsible for Chronic Otitis Externa in China.

Vibrio alginolyticus, a Gram-negative rod bacterium found in marine environments, is known to cause opportunistic infections in humans, including ear infections, which can be difficult to diagnose. We investigated the microbiological and otopathogenic characteristics of a V. alginolyticus strain isolated from an ear exudate specimen obtained from a patient with chronic otitis externa to provide a basis for the future diagnosis of V. alginolyticus-associated infections. The identification of V. alginolyticus was accomplished using a combination of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), classical biochemical identification methods, and the use of Vibrio-selective media and advanced molecular identification methodologies. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that the strain was resistant to ampicillin and sensitive to β-lactam, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamide antibiotics. The potential otopathogenic effects of V. alginolyticus were determined through the performance of cell viability, cell apoptosis, and cell death assays in tympanic membrane (TM) keratinocytes and HEI-OC1 cells treated with V. alginolyticus-conditioned medium using cell-counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, a wound-healing migration assay, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) flow cytometric analysis, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL staining). The results indicated that the identified V. alginolyticus strain exerts cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes and HEI-OC1 cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration and inducing apoptosis and cell death. To evaluate the ototoxicity of V. alginolyticus, the cell density and morphological integrity of hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) were analyzed after exposing cochlear organotypic explants to the bacterial supernatant, which revealed the pre-dominant susceptibility and vulnerability of HCs and SGNs in the basal cochlear region to the ototoxic insults exerted by V. alginolyticus. Our investigation highlights the challenges associated with the identification and characteristic analysis of the Vibrio strain isolated in this case and ultimately aims to increase the understanding and awareness of clinicians and microbiologists for the improved diagnosis of V. alginolyticus-associated ear infections and the recognition of its potential otopathogenic and ototoxic effects.

Decreased miRNA-320e correlates with allergy in children with otitis media with effusion

ObjectiveOtitis media with effusion (OME) is a common childhood disease and the main cause of conductive hearing loss in this age group. Many factors predispose to OME but allergy is still widely disputed. The answer may lay in the molecular mechanisms of ear exudate formation and the recent studies showed miRNAs might take part in it. MiRNAs are also potent regulators of allergic response. As miRNAs are present in the middle ear, we hypothesized their expression differs between allergic and non-allergic patients and reflects the difference in pathomechanism of effusion formation between these two groups. Materials and methodsThis study aimed to establish the expression of 5 different miRNAs (miR-223-3p, miR-451a, miR-16-5p, miR-320e, miR-25-3p) in ear exudates in children diagnosed with OME. The allergy group consisted of 18 patients whereas the non-allergic group had 36 patients. MicroRNA was isolated from the middle ear fluid collected during myringotomy and transcribed into cDNA. MiRNA expression was measured with TaqMan™ MicroRNA Assays and analyzed with DataAssist software. The comparative CT method was used for calculating the relative quantification of gene expression based on the endogenous control gene expression (U6 snRNA-001973). ResultsMiR-320e expression was significantly decreased in allergic children with OME. Other studied miRNAs also showed reduced expression in allergic children, but the decrease was not significant. ConclusionsMiRNA expression differs between children with and without allergy in the course of OME, but further studies are needed to explain the exact role of miR-320e and its target genes in OME pathology in allergic patients.

Comparative cytological analysis of the middle ear exudate in different children's groups

Two clinics was parallel conducted a cytological examination of exudate of the middle ear in children. The first group consisted of 30 patients aged 2 to 17 years with EOM without CCLP (n=54 ears). The 2nd group included 17 patients aged 1 year 4 months to 10 years with EOM with CCLP (n=34 ears). In the 1st group, in 61% of cases (n=33), an inflammatory-regenerative type of cytogram was detected, in 39% (n=21) - a regenerative, inflammatory type of cytogram was not detected. In the 2nd group, in 82.4% of cases (n=28), an inflammatory type of cytogram was observed, in 14.7% (n=5) - an inflammatory-regenerative type, in 2.9% (n=1 ear) - a regenerative type. With CCLP, the inflammatory nature of the cytogram of the resulting exudate from the middle ear is more common, which is characterized by signs of destruction of the mucous membrane, decay and degradation of the basal and cell membranes. Patients with CCLP often suffer from EOM. They are more likely to development of chronic purulent otitis media, including with cholesteatoma. Destructive changes in the mucous membrane of the middle ear are found in children of different ages. Taking into account the analysis of cytograms of the exudate of the middle ear with CCLP, the imposition of long-term ventilation tubes is justified.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Different Ear Cleanser in Management of Canine Otitis

The objective of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of three different ear cleansers in 30 dogs of various breeds suffering from otitis. Based on history and clinical signs, ear exudates were collected by aseptic cotton swab for isolation and identification of organisms. The cerumen deposition in-ear canal was cleared using one of the ear preparations, viz., ear cleanser-I (0.2 % salicylic acid and 0.3 % phenoxyethanol) ear cleanser - II (chlorhexidine, propylene glycol and tris–EDTA) or ear cleanser-III (2% para-dichlorobenzene, benzocaine 2.7%, chlorbutol 5% and turpentine oil 15 %). Systemic/local antibiotics were used as per sensitivity testing. The treatment protocol found effective in the management of ear infections included cleaning the ear debris using ceruminolytic preparations/ear wax dissolvent, viz, ear drop. Ear cleanser-III showed excellent results (100%) in ceruminous as well as bacterial otitis with subsequent instillation of ear preparations containing antibacterial drug(s) and antifungal agents compared to cleanser-II (90%) and cleanser-I (70%).

Changes in the serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing otitis media after PCV13 introduction in Spain.

One of the beneficial effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has been a decrease in the incidence of non-invasive infections, such as otitis media (OM) caused by vaccine serotypes. In this study, we analyzed the epidemiology of pneumococcal OM before and after PCV13 introduction in 2010. Between 2008 and 2016, the middle ear exudates from 2653 children under 14 years of age with OM were studied in two Spanish provinces (Gipuzkoa and Barcelona), and S. pneumoniae was isolated in 235 (8.9%) of cases. The 204 available isolates were serotyped and distributed in three 3-year periods: one before and two after PCV13 introduction (early and late post-PCV13). A significant decrease in the rate of OM caused by S. pneumoniae was observed mainly due to a decrease in infections caused by all PCV13 serotypes, although exceptions were observed including the persistence of serotype 3 in Gipuzkoa and a weak re-emergence of serotype 19F in both regions. The rate and diversity of non-PCV13 serotypes increased in both regions and an emerging clone causing OM was detected in each region: serotype 23B ST2372 in Gipuzkoa and serotype 11A ST838/ST6521 in Barcelona. The introduction of PCV13 has been followed by a change in the epidemiology of pneumococcal OM, with a decrease in the rate of vaccine serotypes accompanied by an increase in the diversity of non-vaccine serotype and the clonal spreading of different single clones in each region.

Otitis externa in the dog and the eat

Otitis externa is the most common disorder of the cat ear canal in small animals, with a higher incidence in dogs than in cats. It has a multifactorial etiology comprising of numerous predisposing, primary and perpetuating factors. The most important primary causes are atopy, food allergy, otodectic mange, foreign bodies, endocrinopathies and keratinisation disorders. Bacteria and yeasts residing in the ear canal usually complicate the initial lesions thus leading to the establishment of ceruminous or suppurative otitis externa. Otitis media and chronic hyperplastic changes of the ear canal are hold responsible for the perpetuation of the disease. A diagnosis is easily made from the history, the cleaning of the ear canal and otoscopy, the cytologic and parasitologic examination of ear exudates, the bacterial culture and sensitivity testing and the radiography (cartilage mineralization, otitis media). Evaluation and treatment of the underlying skin disease is always necessary. Therapy of otitis externa depends on identifying and controlling the predisposing and primary factors, whenever possible. Medical treatment includes cleaning of the ear canals and the middle ear, applying topicals and/or administering systemic medications (acaricides, antifungal agents, antibiotics, glucocorticoids). Corrective surgeries are indicated in the refractory to medical treatment cases.

The opportunities of optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of secretory otitis media

The article describes the method of in-life noninvasive examination of the middle ear structures in the normal condition and in the patients with secretory otitis media – optical coherence tomography (OCT). The authors present the opportunities of OCT in the identification of pathological exudate in the tympanic cavity and suggest the use of OCT in various measurement modes to improve the quality and informativity of the image. The article establishes the possibility of assessment of physical properties of the middle ear exudate (viscosity) based on the comparison of optical properties of the exudate and the reference fluid.

Otitis Media Caused by V. cholerae O100: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Infections due to Vibrio cholerae are rarely documented in Israel. Here we report a case of recurrent otitis media in a young male, caused by V. cholerae non-O1/O139. This extra-intestinal infection was caused by V. cholerae O100 and has been associated with freshwater exposure and travel. Symptoms of chronic periodic earaches along with purulent exudate began about one week after the patient suffered a water skiing accident on a river in Australia. The condition lasted for three years, until his ear exudate was examined in a clinical laboratory, diagnosed and treated. Five bacterial isolates were identified as V. cholerae O100. The isolates were screened for genetic characteristics and were found positive for the presence of hapA, hlyA, and ompU virulence genes. All isolates were negative for the presence of ctxA. Based on antibiogram susceptibility testing, ciprofloxacin ear drops were used until the patient’s symptoms disappeared. This case demonstrates that exposure to freshwater can cause otitis media by V. cholerae non-O1/O139 in young and otherwise healthy humans.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis: características clínicas, microbiológicas y sensibilidad antibiótica de 27 casos

IntroductionStaphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) with microbiological characteristics, clinical virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, which makes it a distinctly different species from other coagulase-negative staphylococcus species. We present the microbiological and clinical characteristics of 27 S.lugdunensis isolates in patients of our hospital. Material and methodsStaphylococcus lugdunensis isolates collected in our hospital from 2004 to 2011 were studied. Identification and susceptibility testing were performed using the MicroScan (Siemens) system. The clinical records of patients with S.lugdunensis were reviewed. ResultsA total of 27 isolates of S.lugdunensis were obtained from the following sources: abscesses (8), wounds (8), joint fluid (3), blood (2), peritoneal fluid (1), ear exudate (1), nasal discharge (1), and urine (1). In 22 cases the culture was pure and in 5 cases mixed. Samples came from Gynaecology in 8 cases (30%), Traumatology in 6 (22%), Surgery in 5 (19%), Internal Medicine in 3 (11%), Paediatrics in 2 (7%), and 3 (11%) from other departments. Just over half (15 cases, 55.5%) had a history of recent surgery or trauma. A total of 20 (74%) were sensitive to penicillin, and none of the isolates was resistant to oxacillin. ConclusionsS. lugdunensis has been isolated mainly in skin and soft tissue infections, as well as in surgical wounds. The microorganism was obtained in pure culture in 20 cases (74%). The proper identification of S.lugdunensis is important in order to avoid being ruled out as simple coagulase-negative staphylococci, and to give us a better understanding of infections caused by this microorganism.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of antibacterial activity of six novel 1,2,4-triazole derivatives against standard and medical bacteria

1,2,4-triazoles have been reported to possess a wide range of biological activities, including anticancer, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activities. Therefore, the current investigation is intended to synthesize six novel 1,2,4-triazole derivatives (designated as 2aa, 2ab, 2ac, 2bb, 2bd, and 2be). These derivatives were screened for their antibacterial activity against two Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical specimens (stool and ear exudates of infected patients) and two Gram-positive standard bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 and Bacillus cereus ATCC11778) using both well diffusion and broth dilution methods. The chemical structures of the new 1,2,4-triazole derivatives were characterized by 1 H and 13 C-NMR spectra, in addition to elemental analysis. The bacterial strains designated as GN1 and GN2 were identified by biochemical and molecular methods and confirmed as new strains of Shigella sp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. All triazole derivatives were found to be active against bacteria with varying degrees. Some derivatives were found to have the same antibacterial activity as penicillin G (the positive control) against certain strains, for instance, 2ab, 2bd, and 2be against B. cereus ATCC11778. Interestingly, some compounds were more active than penicillin G against certain strains. The activity of 2aa against B. cereus ATCC11778 was higher than the activity of penicillin G, whereas 2ab and 2ac were more active than penicillin G against the clinical isolate P. aeruginosa. The variation seen in antimicrobial activity could be attributed to the difference in the substituent groups attached to the 1,2,4-triazole nucleus. In conclusion, these findings might hold promise for development of a new class of a novel expanded spectrum antibiotics against clinically important bacteria that are highly resistant to current antibacterial agents and associated with serious and life-threatening infections.

Evaluation of two anaerobic systems for isolation of anaerobes

Many systems are available for the isolation of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens. The jar system is the oldest and more adapted while the pouches are not popular with many investigators. The anaerobic chambers are expensive to maintain and technically inflexible. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Oxoid anaerobic jar and the GENbag pouches as anaerobic incubation systems. Anaerobic cultures were set up for 145 middle ear exudates and incubation was in the anaerobic jar, GENbag or a combination of both. The effect of specimen transport system and time lapse before culturing on the performance of the anaerobic systems were evaluated Ten genera of anaerobic bacteria were isolated with both systems (P > 0.05). <em>Peptostreptococcus</em> and <em>Prevotella</em> were isolated more frequently in Oxoid jar than in GENbag (P < 0.05) but both systems were not discriminatory for <em>Clostridium</em>, <em>Propionibacterium</em> and <em>Veillonella</em>. The use of GENbag as a backup to Oxoid jar increased isolation rate from 56.6% to 90.3% (P > 0.05). Type of transport media or vehicle did not affect the recovery of anaerobes adversely as did delay in processing of specimen. A careful application of a number of variables may improve isolation of anaerobes from clinical specimens

Efficacy of Argentine propolis formulation for topical treatment of canine otitis externa

The therapeutic effects of Argentine propolis ear drop formulation on canine otitis externa were evaluated. Forty-eight dogs with symptoms of otitis externa were randomly assigned to double-blinded, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of topical formulation with propolis versus a topical placebo in the treatment of otitis externa. The propolis preparation and placebo were administrated into both external ear canals, twice daily for 14 days. Throughout the study, clinical examination and microbiological analysis of dogs ear exudates were made. The most frequent microorganisms isolated in culture media were: Malassezia pachydermatis (54.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (43.8%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (25.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.8%), Candida albicans (18.8%), Proteus mirabilis (16.7%), Streptococcus spp. (16.7%), Enteroccocus faecalis (12.5%), Escherichia coli (12.5%), Staphylococcus intermedius (6.3%), Klebsiella spp. (4.2%), andCandida glabrata (2.1%). Whereas the control group did not recover from the infectious ear disease, the propolis preparation exhibited antimicrobial activity against most of the microorganisms isolated from samples of the treated group. In addition, no propolis-adverse effects were observed. This allowed propolis-treated patients to show a significant improvement of the clinical parameters. Thus, this new Argentine propolis ear drop formulation may be used for topical treatment of otitis externa in dogs.

Otomycosis due to Aspergillus spp. in a dog: case report and literature review

This report describes the clinical findings, clinicopathology and treatment of otomycosis caused by Aspergillus spp. in an atopic dog affected by chronic unilateral purulent otitis externa unresponsive to topical and oral antibiotics and antifungal treatments. Cytology of otic exudate revealed neutrophils and septate fungal hyphae, and otic culture grew Aspergillus spp. and no bacteria. Treatments included allergen-specific immunotherapy, topical and oral antifungal therapy and anti-inflammatory steroid therapy. Final resolution occurred after treatment of the underlying hypersensitivity disorder, administration of topical ketoconazole and debridement of infectious ear exudate. Otomycosis due to filamentous fungi may, as in humans, occur in dogs with ear canals compromised by pre-existing allergic or bacterial otitis, and possibly previous antibiotic therapy. Antifungal medications provided clinical improvement, but the key to successful treatment was the restoration of the normal physiology of the external auditory canal.