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

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 125; no. 3; pp. 227 - 230
• Main Authors: Acar, B, Simsek, G Güler, Oguztuzun, S, Zaim, M, Karasen, R Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Antibodies; Antimicrobial agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Case-Control Studies; Chloride; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - metabolism; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - pathology; Ear Canal - metabolism; Ear Canal - pathology; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Medical sciences; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Patients; Peptides; Prospective Studies; Pruritus; Pruritus - etiology; Pruritus - metabolism; Pruritus - pathology; Skin diseases; Sodium; Treatment Failure; United States > US; Otitis Externa; External Auditory Canal; Pruritus; Immunohistochemistry; Anatomic pathology; Skin disease; Peptides; External auditory canal; External ear disease; External otitis; ENT disease; ENT; Antimicrobial agent
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215110002161

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