STUDIES ON THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA IN THE HUMAN EAR CANAL

[摘要] The resident bacterial flora in the healthy human ear canal is remarkably constant. There is no difference in the flora in various geographic locations, between the sexes or from season to season. The resident flora is composed primarily of Micrococci and Corynebacteria. The transient flora varies slightly with personal hygiene. Cerumen, as it exists in the ear canal in health, does not, by the method used, exhibit any inhibition of the growth of the organisms tested. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, acting alone, is not likely to be of the cause of external otitis in previously healthy ear canals. If it is an etiologic factor, secondary etiologic agents such as trauma or increased environmental heat or humidity, must be required to act simultaneously.