Microbiologic Study of the Ear Canal in Koreans.
- Author:
Kyong Myong CHON
1
;
Bit Na YOON
;
Sung Hwan PARK
;
Il Woo LEE
;
Eui Kyung GOH
;
Soo Geun WANG
;
Chul Hun L CHANG
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. chonkm@hyowon.cc.pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Microbiology;
Ear canal;
Cerumen
- MeSH:
Aspergillus;
Bacteria;
Cerumen;
Ear Canal*;
Ear*;
Ear, External;
Fungi;
Gram-Positive Bacteria;
Healthy Volunteers;
Penicillium;
Staphylococcus
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2005;48(1):8-12
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to isolate bacteria and fungi from healthy ear canal in Koreans and compare with known pathogens. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Specimens were collected from the external ear swab and cerumen of 45 healthy volunteers from February 2003 to May 2003. RESULTS: Forty-five subjects were cultured. In 8 subjects, we failed to obtain enough cerumen. Three canal and 11 cerumen showed no growth. Forty-two canal specimens yielded 72 microorganisms, of which 84.7% were gram positive bacteria. Twenty-six cerumen specimens yielded 43 microorganisms and 76.7% of them were gram positive. Staphylococci was 76.4% of canal bacteria and 74.4% of cerumen bacteria. In both canal and cerumen, the most commonly isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus capitis. Coryneform bacteria were 6.9% of bacteria in canal and were not isolated from cerumen. Two Aspergillus species and one Penicillium species were isolated from canal and cerumen. CONCLUSION: Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) were found to be the predominant microorganism and, in particular, Staphylococcus capitis was the most commonly isolated microorganism from the normal external auditory canal in Koreans.
