Otomycosis is one of the common conditions encountered in a general otolaryngology clinic setting and its prevalence has been quoted to range from 9% to 27.2% among patients who present with signs and symptoms of otitis externa and up to 30% in patients with discharging ears. Despite this, there could be recurrences. Although rarely life threatening, the disease is a challenging and frustrating entity for both patients and otolaryngologists as it frequently requires long-term treatment and follow-up.
Otomycosis or fungal otitis externa has typically been described as fungal infection of the external auditory canal with infrequent complications involving the middle ear. The use of terms “primary” and “secondary” otomycosis is important to standardize reporting. Fungi are also present in a significant number of healthy external auditory canals and their profiles match those in cases of otomycosis. Otomycotic ears are often associated with bacterial isolates when compared to normal ears. were the most common fungi isolated, followed by Penicillium. In 42% of healthy external ears fungi were isolated. Bacterial isolates associated with fungi in otomycosis were S. niger complex (38%) was the most common followed by A. Aspergilli were the most common isolates (80%) followed by Penicillium (8%), Candida albicans (4%), Rhizopus (1%), and Chrysosporium (1%), the last being reported for the first time in otomycosis. Instillation of coconut oil (42%), use of topical antibiotic eardrops (20%), and compulsive cleaning of external ear with hard objects (32%) appeared to be the main predisposing factors in otomycosis.
150 immunocompetent individuals of whom 100 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of otomycosis are considered as the study group and 50 consecutive patients with no otomycosis are considered as the control group. Academic Department of Otolaryngology in a coastal city in India. Prospective study of two years and review of the literature. To define otomycosis and determine the predisposing factors and microbiology in primary otomycosis.
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