Abstract
Abstract:Introduction Otomycosis has been described as fungal infection of the external auditory canal with infrequent complications involving the middle ear .Otomycosis is challenging for both patients and otolaryngologist as it frequently requires long term treatment and follow up. Inspite of proper treatment and follow up, the recurrence rate remains high. The aim of current study is to detect the most common fungi in otomycosis patients and determine its risk factors .om 194 patients clinically diagnosed with otomycosis. Each swab is subjected to direct microscopic examination with 10 %KOH and culture on Sabroud’s Dextrose agar(SDA) and blood agar . Filamentous fungal growth is identified by macro- and micro morphological characteristics .Yeast like growth is identified by (API 20C) AUX. Results: The mean age ±SD of the patients was 24.18± 15.9 years. Males (n=106,54%), were more vulnerable to otomycosis than females (n=88, 45%). The most common presenting symptom was otorrhea and pruritus (n= 78 ,40%) with unilateral involvement being more common. The most common predisposing factor is self-cleaning (n=84 ,43%)followed by topical antibiotic ear drops with steroid use (n=30,15%). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common fungus causing otomycosis in this study (n=70, 36%) followed by Candida tropicalis (n=28,16%). Positive fungal cultures were observed in 180 specimens (90%).Conclusion: Otomycosis is common in people with the bad habit of self -cleaning with unsterilized objects and using unnecessary steroid containing ear drops.Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida tropicalis were the most prevalent isolated fungi in otomycosis patients. Keywords : Otomycosis ,predisposing factors, otitis externa
Highlights
Due to constant exposure of the ear to atmospheric biotic elements, it becomes easy to access numerous microorganisms, such as fungi, which contribute to inflammation as well as fluid production within the ear [1]
Fungal spores found in air are borne by water vapors that lead to a higher infection rate when relative humidity (RH) is elevated to 80% [2, 3]
Local lesions such as congestion found in otitis externa have a great impact on increasing both vascular permeability and temperature, which are considered as preferable circumstances to grow fungi and develop mycoses throughout external as well as middle ear [4]
Summary
Due to constant exposure of the ear to atmospheric biotic elements, it becomes easy to access numerous microorganisms, such as fungi, which contribute to inflammation as well as fluid production within the ear [1] Such fungal ear infection was first identified by Andrall as well as Gaverret in 1843 in addition to Mayer in 1844 [2]. Fungal spores found in air are borne by water vapors that lead to a higher infection rate when relative humidity (RH) is elevated to 80% [2, 3] Local lesions such as congestion found in otitis externa have a great impact on increasing both vascular permeability and temperature, which are considered as preferable circumstances to grow fungi and develop mycoses throughout external as well as middle ear [4]. Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida tropicalis were the most prevalent isolated fungi in otomycosis patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
