Otomycosis: clinical and mycological study of 97 cases

Abstract

Objective: To report otomycosis in a retrospective study and correlate clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic factors.

Material and method: This study comprises 97 cases of clinically and mycologically proven otomycosis or fungal otitis externa gathered during a 12-year period.

Results: Most cases were unilateral (90.7%) and the main predisposing factors associated with the disease were trauma (secondary to the constant scratching) and the use of topical antibiotics. Major causal agents were several species of Aspergillus (63.9%), of which Aspergillus flavus was commonest (26%), followed by Candida albicans (26.8%) and Aspergillus niger (21%).

Conclusion: The treatment of choice is mainly local toilet of the external auditory canal and the use of systemic antifungal agents to prevent re-infection and the spread of disease.