Is Pityrosporum ovale a Pathogen of the External Auditory Meatus?

Abstract

Fifteen dry wax samples, 15 wet wax samples and 7 dandruffy skin samples obtained from the external auditory meatus (EAM) of 26 individuals (age range from 1 to 76 years) were examined for the identification of Pityrosporum ovale. After staining the samples with Gram's stain, cultures were made on Sabouraud's medium with olive oil added. Thirteen of the dry wax samples, 1 of the wet wax samples and 6 of the dandruffy skin samples harboured P. ovale, Lipophilic yeast is frequently present in dry wax in adults and must be considered an aetiological agent of dandruff in the EAM.

Key Words:

• Gram's stain
• dandruff
• lipophilic yeast