Microbial colonization of the external auditory canal and nose in hemodialysis patients

The aim of our study is to determine the microbiology of the external auditory canal and nose in uremic patients on chronic dialysis.

All patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for at least 3 months were included in this study. The nasal and external auditory canal swabs were collected from 83 haemodialysed patients.

From 83 patients (37 females, 46 males) nasal and external auditory canal cultures were obtained. Mean duration on dialysis was 41.75 ± 45 months and mean age of patients was 61 ± 13 years. Microflora in the nasal cavities (70/80, 87.5%) and external auditory canal (48/59, 81.3%) were similar in all culture positive patients (coagulase-negative staphylococci). Coexistence of coagulase- negative staphylococci and diphteroids was detected in 20 patients' (25.0%) nasal vestibule and in eight patients' (13.5%) external auditory canal.

Microflora in the nasal cavities and external auditory canal were similar in chronic renal patients. External auditory canal microflora was not associated with history of diabetes mellitus, hepatitis status and starting date of hemodialysis in our study.