Utvärdering av effekten av Cortavance® vid behandling av otitis externa hos hund : En jämförelse med en referensbehandling (Surolan®)

Abstract: Inflammation affecting the ears (otitis) is a common problem in dogs and represents the reason for up to 20% of veterinary visits. Depending on where the inflammation is located in the ear the condition is called otitis externa, media or interna. Of these, otitis externa, an inflammation of the skin in the outer ear canal, is most common. Almost all, with one exception, currently available products registered for the treatment of otitis in dogs contain three different active components: glucocorticoids and various combinations of antibiotics and antimycotics. Such antimicrobial treatment selects for development of resistance in bacteria and yeast, an increasing problem that affecting both veterinary and human medicine. Cortavance® is a cutaneous solution of hydrocortisone aceponate as the single active ingredient, a topical glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties used to treat skin inflammation. The substance has a reduced risk of inducing side effects associated with other topical glucocorticoids and has been shown to be safe for use daily or intermittently for up to 70 days in dogs with clinical signs of atopic dermatitis. The hypothesis is that adequate control of inflammation can also lead to control of infectious external otitis. This prospective, randomized and single blinded study was completed by nine privately owned dogs with spontaneous, acute otitis externa. On four occasions in the study (day 0, day 7, day 14 and day 28), clinical examination and cytological evaluation of the dogs were conducted. The dogs were randomized assigned a treatment group and were treated by their owners either once or twice daily for 7-14 days. The aim was to evaluate the effect of hydrocortisone aceponate (Cortavance®) and assess the suitability of the preparation for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs. As a reference treatment, the commonly used and licenced ear drop Surolan® was chosen. The study demonstrated that Cortavance® was equally efficient as Surolan® in the treatment of yeast infected otitis externa and is a suitable alternative for treating such otitis. The use of antibiotics might though need to be considered if a bacterial infection is present. Further studies with a larger group of bacterially infected ears in warranted to determine the effect of the preparation in the treatment of bacterial infections associated with otitis externa. The study indicates that the treatment period for Cortavance® should be longer than 7 days for a complete cure.