Canine otitis externa is a painful condition which can be challenging to treat due to difficulties in the administration of otic medication. This can be due to lack of owner compliance in the application of ear drops or due to the resentment that some dogs demonstrate when attempts are made to administer topical medication into a sensitive ear canal. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a topical LED-illuminated gel (LIG) in canine otitis externa in comparison to standard of care therapy. Dogs with spontaneous otitis externa were randomly allocated in three groups: groups QW received LIG once weekly; BW received LIG twice weekly; group C received enrofloxacin and silver sulfadiazine twice daily. LIG consists of a topical application of a gel containing chromophores that, when illuminated by a LED lamp, re-emit fluorescent light which can stimulate physiological responses, promoting healing and controlling bacteria. The evaluation protocol (T0 to T5) considered clinical assessment (OTIS-3-index-scoring-system; pruritus-severity-scale; pain-severity-score; aural temperature), cytological scoring system, quali-quantitative bacteriologic assessment. All groups (QW, n = 21; BW, n = 23; C, n = 20) showed improvement during the study (QW: P < 0.02 for cytological and pain scores, P < 0.003 for bacteriologic assessment, P < 10− 4 for pruritus, total OTIS-3 and temperature assessments; BW: P < 10− 4 for all clinical, cytological and bacteriologic assessments; C: P < 0.02 for all clinical and cytological assessments, P < 10− 4 for bacteriologic assessment). The highest clinical score reduction occurred in Group BW (P < 0.014 in T3; P < 0.001 in T4 and P < 10− 4 in T5). BW reached the clinically relevant effect level at T3 (− 3.26 ± 1.21 levels), QW reached it at T4 (− 3.24 ± 0.99), C did not reach it. No differences between groups were seen in the reduction of CFU/mL (T0-T5). All treatment groups showed a positive clinical effect. LIG administered twice-a-week was the most favourable protocol of the study. LIG may be considered beneficial in the management of canine otitis externa; it seems to be effective in controlling the clinical condition, including the signs of inflammation and local pain, the bacterial growth, and it may help increasing treatment compliance.

中文翻译：

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使用 LED 发光凝胶治疗外耳炎：一项针对狗的随机对照临床试验

犬外耳炎是一种痛苦的疾病，由于耳科药物的施用困难，治疗起来可能具有挑战性。这可能是由于主人在使用滴耳剂时缺乏依从性，或者是由于一些狗在尝试将局部药物注入敏感的耳道时表现出怨恨。该研究的目的是评估局部 LED 照明凝胶 (LIG) 与标准护理疗法相比对犬外耳炎的疗效。患有自发性外耳炎的狗被随机分为三组：QW组每周接受一次LIG；BW 每周两次收到 LIG；C组每天两次接受恩诺沙星和磺胺嘧啶银治疗。LIG 包括局部应用含有发色团的凝胶，当 LED 灯照射时，该凝胶会重新发出荧光，从而刺激生理反应，促进愈合并控制细菌。评估方案（T0至T5）考虑了临床评估（OTIS-3指数评分系统；瘙痒严重程度量表；疼痛严重程度评分；听觉温度）、细胞学评分系统、定性定量细菌学评估。所有组（QW，n = 21；BW，n = 23；C，n = 20）在研究期间均表现出改善（QW：细胞学和疼痛评分 P < 0.02，细菌学评估 P < 0.003，P < 10−4瘙痒、总 OTIS-3 和体温评估；BW：所有临床、细胞学和细菌学评估 P < 10−4；C：所有临床和细胞学评估 P < 0.02，细菌学评估 P < 10−4）。BW 组临床评分降低最多（T3 中 P < 0.014；T4 中 P < 0.001；T5 中 P < 10−4）。BW 在 T3 时达到临床相关效果水平（− 3.26 ± 1.21 水平），QW 在 T4 时达到临床相关效果水平（− 3.24 ± 0.99），C 未达到该水平。在 CFU/mL (T0-T5) 降低方面未见组间差异。所有治疗组均显示出积极的临床效果。每周两次 LIG 是该研究中最有利的方案。LIG 可能被认为对治疗犬外耳炎有益；它似乎可以有效控制临床状况，包括炎症和局部疼痛的迹象、细菌生长，并且可能有助于提高治疗依从性。