RESUMEN
Otitis externa is an inflammatory and infectious disease that affects the external auditory canal. The term otorrhea refers to the outflow of discharge from the ear which is one of the main symptoms of otitis externa along with inflammation. External ear canal pathology or middle ear illness with tympanic membrane perforation is the etiological factor of otorrhea. Otorrhea is an indication of infection. Antimicrobial agents are the conventional treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections, but they have impediments such as resistance development, side effects, patient affordability, etc. The Gandhak Rasayana formulation mentioned in the Ayurvedic text can be a good option for the treatment of various infectious diseases. Karnasrava is a type of ear disease referred to as Vata predominant Tridoshaja disease and it is curable. The term Karnasrava signifies discharge from ear and is self-explanatory. Karnasrava consists of a wide spectrum of diseases and can have a near correlation with otitis externa as per signs and symptoms. Gandhak Rasayana exhibited significant antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity in otitis externa. Evaluating its antibacterial and antifungal activity can provide scientific evidence for the study through the present case report. A 31-year-old male patient registered in OPD at Sane Guruji Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune was clinically diagnosed as Karnasrava (Otitis externa) and pus culture positive for Klebsiella species. We started the treatment with Gandhak Rasayana-an Ayurvedic formulation of 250mg two tablets in the morning and evening with lukewarm water for 21 days. The outcome of the treatment was observed as a reduction in Karnashula (otalgia), Karnasrava (ear discharge), Karnakandu (itching), ear blockage and inflammatory changes. Post-treatment culture was negative for the organism. The improvement was noted in Brighton grading scale from grade III to grade I. Gandhak Rasayana showed significant antibacterial activity in the present case. Evaluating its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity can provide scientific evidence for the study.
RESUMEN
Karnasrava is the condition characterized by discharge from Karna and occurs mainly due to Avarana of Vata Dosha. Otomycosis denotes diffuse otitis externa due to fungal infection in ear. Otomycosis being one of the causes of Karnasrava was selected for the study. The present study is done on 28 patients of Karnasrava, who were grouped in to two with 14 patients in each group. Group-A was treated with Arka TailaKarnapurana and Group-B with Clotrimazole ear drops (standard control). The signs and symptoms were studied before and after treatment. Result of the study indicates that Arka Taila and Clotrimazole are equally effective in all the signs and symptoms of Karnasrava (Otomycosis).