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Insecticidal activity of common reagents for insect foreign bodies of the ear
P J Antonelli1, A Ahmadi, A Prevatt
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0264, USA.
Objective:
Insects commonly present as painful and distressing foreign bodies of the external ear canal. Removing live insects can be challenging, especially for primary care physicians who have limited equipment. The purpose of this study is to compare the insecticidal activity of commonly available preparations for insects that are most frequently recovered from ear canals: cockroaches (German and American), ticks, beetles, and honeybees.
Study Design:
Prospective, blinded.
Methods:
One hundred seventy insects of each species were placed in test tubes and submerged in 17 test preparations (10 tubes per preparation, 1 insect per test tube). Insect activity was stimulated by agitation of the test tube. Responses were monitored, and the time until death was measured.
Results:
Most test preparations exhibited some insecticidal activity against most insect species. Ticks were completely resistant to all of the test reagents. Ethanol killed the American cockroaches (mean time, 32.6 s), German cockroaches (mean time, 29.6 s), and honeybees (mean time, 19.6 s) the most rapidly.
Conclusion:
Many commonly available reagents may be used to kill or immobilize insect foreign bodies of the ear.
Insights
Ethanol effectively kills common ear canal insects like cockroaches and honeybees, though ticks are resistant. This study compared insecticidal activity of various preparations for ear foreign body removal.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Insects in the ear canal are a common and painful foreign body issue.
- Removal of live insects presents challenges, particularly for primary care physicians with limited equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the insecticidal efficacy of readily available preparations against common ear canal insects.
- To evaluate treatments for German cockroaches, American cockroaches, ticks, beetles, and honeybees.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, blinded study design was employed.
- 170 insects of each species were tested against 17 different preparations.
- Insecticidal activity and time to death were monitored after agitation.
Main Results:
- Most tested preparations showed some insecticidal effect against most insect species.
- Ticks demonstrated complete resistance to all tested reagents.
- Ethanol exhibited the most rapid insecticidal activity against American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and honeybees.
Conclusions:
- Several common preparations can effectively kill or immobilize insect foreign bodies in the ear canal.
- Ethanol is a rapid and effective option for specific insect types found in the ear.