Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T07:35:42.487Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Isolated itching of external auditory canal: clinicopathological study with immunohistochemical determination of antimicrobial peptides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2010

B Acar ,
G Güler Simsek ,
S Oguztuzun ,
M Zaim  and
R Murat Karasen
B Acar*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
G Güler Simsek
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
S Oguztuzun
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Kırıkkale University, Turkey
M Zaim
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
R Murat Karasen
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Baran Acar, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Pinarbasi mahallesi Sanatoryum caddesi Ardahan sok no 1, Kecioren 06310, Ankara, Turkey Fax: + 90 312 356 90 22 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to demonstrate the histological and immunohistological features of skin biopsy specimens from patients complaining of isolated itching of the external auditory canal.

Materials and methods:

A prospective, case–control study was performed of 24 patients undergoing evaluation for contact dermatitis of the external auditory canal, and 24 controls. Skin biopsies were examined histologically by a single, blinded dermatopathologist, using light microscopy, to determine histopathological characteristics. The immunohistological presence of the antimicrobial peptides human β-defensin-3 and LL-37 cathelicidin was also assessed. Findings for patients and controls were compared.

Results:

There was a statistically significant difference in the degree of inflammation, comparing patients and controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the presence of spongiotic changes, comparing patients and controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the patients' skin biopsies did not show pronounced expression of human β-defensin-3 or LL-37 cathelicidin.

Conclusion:

Histological and immunohistological examination of skin biopsies from cases of isolated itching of the external auditory canal did not support a diagnosis of dermatitis.

Keywords

External Auditory CanalOtitis ExternaPruritus
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 3 , March 2011 , pp. 227 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Djalilian, HR, Memar, O. Topical pimecrolimus 1% for the treatment of pruritic external auditory canals. Laryngoscope 2006;116:1809–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Acar, B, Karabulut, H, Sahin, Y, Babademez, MA, Karadag, AS, Karasen, RM. New treatment strategy and assessment questionnaire for external auditory canal pruritus: topical pimecrolimus therapy and Modified Itch Severity Scale. J Laryngol Otol 2010;124:147–51CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Goh, CL. Noneczematous contact reactions. In: Rycroft, RJG, Menne, T, Frosch, PJ. (Eds) Textbook of Contact Dermatitis, 2nd edn.Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 1995;221–36Google Scholar
4Rao, AG. Antimicrobial peptides. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 1995;8:6–13Google Scholar
5Boman, HG. Antibacterial peptides: key components needed in immunity. Cell 1991;19;65:205–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Murakami, M, Ohtake, T, Dorschner, RA, Schittek, B, Garbe, C, Gallo, RL. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide expression in sweat, an innate defense system for the skin. J Invest Dermatol 2002;119:1090–5Google Scholar
7Gudmundsson, GH, Agerberth, B, Odeberg, J, Bergman, T, Olsson, B, Salcedo, R. The human gene FALL39 and processing of the cathelin precursor to the antibacterial peptide LL-37 in granulocytes. Eur J Biochem 1996;238:325–32CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8Frohm, M, Agerberth, B, Ahangari, G, Stâhle-Bäckdahl, M, Lidén, S, Wigzell, H et al. The expression of the gene coding for the antibacterial peptide LL-37 is induced in human keratinocytes during inflammatory disorders. J Biol Chem 1997;272:15258–63Google Scholar
9King, WP. Allergic disorders in the otolaryngologic practice. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1985;18:677–90Google Scholar
10Mabry, RL. Treatment of itching ears with fluocinolone acetonide. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1974;53:333–4Google ScholarPubMed
11Farmer, ER, Hood, AF, eds. Pathology of the Skin. NewYork: McGraw-Hill, 2000Google Scholar
12Harder, J, Bartels, J, Christophers, E, Schroder, JM. Isolation and characterization of human beta-defensin-3, a novel human inducible peptide antibiotic. J Biol Chem 2001;23;276(8):5707–13Google Scholar
13Marchini, G, Ulfgren, AK, Loré, K, Ståbi, B, Berggren, V, Lonne-Rahm, S. Erythema toxicum neonatorum: an immunohistochemical analysis. Pediatr Dermatol 2001;18:177–87Google Scholar
14Marchini, G, Lindow, S, Brismar, H, Ståbi, B, Berggren, V, Ulfgren, AK et al. The newborn infant is protected by an innate antimicrobial barrier: peptide antibiotics are present in the skin and vernix caseosa. Br J Dermatol 2002;147:1127–34CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed