Glycerol and ichthammol: medicinal solution or mythical potion?
Glycerol and ichthammol (G & I) has been used for generations by otologists. However, there is a paucity of information on both its mode of action and its anti-bacterial properties. The aim of this paper was to ascertain firstly, what the most common organisms found in discharging ears were and secondly, what antibacterial activity G & I had against these organisms. All ear swabs from 1992-1994 in our unit were reviewed to ascertain the prevalence of the commonly isolated organisms. Fresh isolates of these organisms were collected and plated onto agar with wells of glycerol, ichthammol and a combination of both as used in clinical practice. The diameters of the zones of inhibition observed after incubation were measured in millimetres. Common isolates were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabalis, Streptococcus pyogenes in descending order of frequency. Pure glycerol showed no significant zones of inhibition against any of the organisms tested. The average zones of inhibition for G & I and ichthammol alone were for Staphylococcus aureus 15 mm and 18 mm and for Streptococcus pyogenes: 16 mm and 23 mm. Ichthammol alone was significantly more effective than G & I (p < 0.001). There was no significant activity against Proteus mirabalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The therapeutic benefit of G & I is due in part to the inherent anti-bacterial activity of ichthammol against the Gram positive organisms as well as its anti-inflammatory action and the dehydrating effect of the glycerol.
Nilssen
E
E
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
Wormald
P J
PJ
Oliver
S
S
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011511:Proteus / Q000187:drug effects; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C089399:ichthammol; D005990:Glycerol