L’uso di una soluzione detergente auricolare a base di clorexidina 0,15% e Tris-EDTA nell’otite batterica

Otodine (R) (ICF, Palazzo Pignano, Italy) is an ear flushing solution containing 0.15% chlorhexidine and Tris EDTA.The aim of this randomized double-blinded study was to evaluate the efficacy of Otodine (R) as sole treatment of canine ears with bacterial overgrowth (+/- Malassezia), or purulent otitis. After the first ear flushing performed by the investigator, the following flushings were performed by the owner daily at home.Clinical signs (pruritus/pain, erythema, oedema, quantity and odour of the exudate) were evaluated on day 0, 14 and 28, with a 0-4 point scale. Bacteria and neutrophils semiquantitative (0-4 scale) counts on cytology were performed at each time point from each ear.Within-group comparison of the baseline characteristics (age, weight and clinical parameters) was performed using a Friedman analysis of variance (ANOVA).Between-group comparison of the reduction of clinical and cytological parameters was performed using the Paired-Samples Student's t-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Fifty-nine ears, 34 treated with Otodine (R) and 25 with the vehicle, of 33 dogs were included into the study. There was no significant difference between groups for age, weight, clinical or cytological parameters at Day 0.Improvement in the group treated with the active ingredients was always greater than in the one treated with the vehicle.At day 14 and 28 in the active treatment group there was a significant improvement of all parameters, while in the vehicle group improvement of oedema and neutrophil count was not significant. In conclusion, this study suggests that Otodine is able to significantly reduce clinical and cytological parameters in bacterial otitis, if used daily for 14-28 days.