The purpose of this study was to identify the anti-Candida activity and chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon). For this, tests were conducted to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) and the action of C. zeylanicum EO on fungal cell wall of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. krusei strains. The composition of the was analysed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Significant antifungal activity of the EO was observed on the strains tested, with 87.5% and 62.5% of them sensitive, respectively at a MIC of 312.5 µg/mL and MFC of 2500 µg/mL. In the presence of sorbitol, the MIC was 625 µg/mL against all the strains, showing a possible action of the EO on fungal cell wall. Eugenol (73.27%) and trans-β-caryophyllene (5.38%) were found in higher concentrations. The results indicated anti-Candida activity of the EO analyzed and suggested that it occurred due to the action on fungal cell wall.

Otite externa aguda é a infecção do conduto auditivo externo, geralmente causada por flora polimicrobiana. OBJETIVO: Isolar, identificar e determinar a susceptibilidade antimicrobiana dos organismos causadores da otite externa (OE). MÉTODO: 27 swabs foram obtidos de 27 orelhas de pacientes portadores de OE para cultura e 22 microrganismos foram isolados para avaliação de susceptibilidade. A susceptibilidade in vitro foi obtida através do método de ágar difusão em disco e os resultados, interpretados de acordo com critérios clínico-laboratoriais padrão. RESULTADOS: 10 culturas positivas para S. aureus, 8 culturas para P.aeruginosa, 5 para P.aeruginosa e S.aureus e 4 para fungos (Candida albicans e C. krusei). Gentamicina e as quinolonas foram ativas contra todas as cepas testadas, havendo resistência significativa contra amoxicilina/clavulanato. As espécies de Candida testadas foram sensíveis à Anfotericina B, nistatina, fluconazol e clotrimazol e resistentes à miconazol. CONCLUSÃO: A otite externa aguda é uma infecção polimicrobiana, e o conhecimento apropriado da etiologia e susceptibilidade dos microrganismos irá contribuir para o uso racional de antibióticos e o sucesso do tratamento.

Acute external otitis is a polymicrobial infectious disease. AIM: The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify and determine the Antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms causing otitis externa (OE). METHODS: twenty-seven swabs were taken from the ears of 27 patients with OE for culture and 22 microorganisms were isolate to evaluate sensitivity. In vitro susceptibility tests were performed by agar diffusion disk and results were interpreted according to Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTS: 10 Ear cultures were positive for S. aureus , 8 for P. aeruginosa, 5 for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus and 4 for fungal organisms (Candida albicans e C. Krusei). Gentamicin and quinolones were active against all bacteria tested and significant resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate was observed. The tested species of Candida had been sensitive to amphothericin B, nystatin, fluconazole and clotrimazole and resistant to miconazole. CONCLUSION: Acute external otitis is a polymicrobial infection and proper knowledge regarding microorganism etiology and susceptibility will contribute to rational antibiotic usage and treatment success.