Predisposing Factors for the Complications of Deep Neck Infection

Abstract

<em>Introduction:</em> Cerumen is known as ear wax, produced regularly by cerumen and lipid secretary glands. Regarding the effect of Mazandaran province's humid weather on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms, this study was performed to determine the bacterial flora of the ear in patients with acute otitis externa and its comparison with healthy subjects. <em>Materials and Methods:</em> In this case-control study, cerumen was collected and cultured from 40 patients with clinically diagnosed acute otitis externa and 80 healthy controls. The data were finally analyzed using SPSS. <em>Results:</em> In the study group, <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (20.8%), <em>Bacillus</em> (18.9%) and <em>Pseudomonas</em> (11.3%) and in the control group <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> (38.7%) and <em>Diphtheroid</em> (22.4%) were the most common bacteria, respectively. <em>Conclusion:</em> The isolated bacteria from cerumen of healthy subjects were totally different from those of acute otitis externa patients.