The influence of human wet cerumen on Candida albicans growth

Purpose. It is well accepted that cerumen plays some role in preventing ext ernal otitis. A subject still under controversy is if cerumen has any influ ence on microorganisms growth. Bactericidal and also fungicidal activity of cerumen has been reported. Material. Method. A well stabblished method for testing the influence of hu man wet cerumen on the growth of microorganisms was used. Laboratory strain ATCC1023 of Candida albicans was tested in 52 assays in order to stablish if wet cerumen has any capacity of diminish the number of viable cells when compared with control. Results. Statistically treated results showed that there is not evidence su pporting a fungicidal effect of human cerumen on C. albicans.