CLINICAL AND MYCOLOGICAL STUDIES OF OTOMYCOSIS

Objectives: Otomycosis (fungal external otitis) is a common disease especially in persistent or chronic external ear infection. Disease is more prevalent in warm climates. Opportunistic fungi usually cause Otomycosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of otomycosis, species distribution, predisposing factors and sex distribution for otomycosis in Ahvaz, Iran. Methodology: Secretion and pus were collected from fifty-seven patients by two sterile cotton wool swabs. One swab was used for direct microscopy and next for culture examination. Direct examination of the samples was carried out by staining the smears with methylene blue technique. Collected swab was inoculated onto Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. The presence of fungal elements in stained smears was confirmed by growth of fungal colonies. Results: In the present study 53.3% and 46.7% of patients were respectively males and females. The most common fungal pathogens were Aspergillus niger (30.8%) and A. flavus (23.1%). Conclusion: In conclusion fungi were the etiological factor of otomycosis in 45.6% of cases. In order to solve the therapeutic difficulties and to apply the most adequate treatment, comprehensive mycological examinations, often skipped during routine clinical procedures, must be performed.