Otomycosis is a fungal infection of external auditory canal. We have tried to
clarin, the different predisposing factors and etiological agents for otomycosis in
Qalyobia governorate. Sixty six patients with confirmed otomycosis were included in
the study. Their age ranged from 7 to 59 years (mean at SD = 30.97 + 13.43y). They
were 37 (56.06%) females and 29 (43.94%) males. The study also included 20 age
and sex matched healthy control. For all, swabs were taken from the lesion in the
external auditory canal by ENT specialist. Smears stained with KOH and Gram stains
and culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar were done for each patient. The culture
growth was identified according to the standard methods. The results showed that
otomycosis is common in adults than in children (31.82% in the age group between
20 and 30 years, but 7.58% in children less than 10 years of age) a difference which
is statistically significant (P < 0.01). The disease is more common in females
(56.06%) compared to (43.94%) in males. The disease is usually unilateral and right
ear is affected more than left ear (48.49% to right ear, compared to 42.42% to left
ear). The most common predisposing factors are self cleaning (45.45% of cases),
local use of antibiotic eardrops (25.76% of cases) and immune deficiency (diabetes —
malignancy) in 18.18% of cases. The most common fungi isolated from otomycosis in
our study were Aspergillus niger (45.45% of cases) followed by Candida albicans
(27.27%) of cases. Conclusion: Otomycosis is not uncommon disease. It usually
affects adult females, usually unilateral, right ear is more affected than left ear. The
most common predisposing factors are self cleaning of the ear and local use of
antibiotic otic drops. The most common isolated fungi are Aspergillus niger and
Can dida albicans. |
