Otomycosis: prevalence, clinical symptoms, therapeutic procedure

Abstract

Local lesions observed in otitis, create favourable conditions for the growth of fungi and development of mycoses both in the external and middle ear, as well as in post-operative cavities, especially in cases of open-type surgery. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of mycotic infections in inflammatory conditions of the ear; (2) to evaluate the relationship between the presence of fungi and clinical symptoms of inflammation; and (3) to construct a model of therapeutic procedure. The study concerned 345 individuals, including 295 patients (381 ears) who presented with symptoms of otitis. The mycological examinations revealed presence of fungi in 30.4% cases (116 ears). Positive culture results were obtained predominantly in patients with post-operative suppuration (52.8%). Otomycosis was more often associated with fungi of the genus Candida (3/5) than with fungi of the genus Aspergillus (2/5). The analysis of symptoms in otomycoses showed that in bacteria-induced otitis, pruritus, discharge, post-operative defective hearing and headaches are most common; the analysis of signs showed that reddened epidermis and lining of the tympanic cavity are statistically more frequent. The therapeutic protocol adopted in otomycoses yields good results: 89%--complete cure.

Ototopical antifungals and otomycosis: A review

“…The most prominent symptoms present at the time of diagnosis were: otalgia, otorrhea, hearing loss, aural fullness, pruritus, and tinnitus [1,2,4]. Very often, fungal external ear infections manifest only in the presence of predisposing factors.…”

“…The prevalence of otomycosis has been reported to be as low as 9% of cases of otitis externa [1], and as high as 30.4% in patients presenting with symptoms of otitis or inflammatory conditions of the ear [2]. Prevalence is also related to the geographical area, as otomycosis is most commonly present in tropical and subtropical humid climates.…”

Antifungal activity of essential oils of lemon balm, manuka and tansy to the causative agents of otomycosis

“…i Rhizopus spp. (5). Esencijalna ulja su isparljiva, prirodna, kompleksna organska jedinjenja koja karakteriše snažan miris i predstavljaju sekundarne metabolite aromatičnog bilja.…”

Clinico-mycological study of otomycosis in Raichur, Karnataka: a hospital based study

“…The incidence of otomycosis has been reported between 9%-30.4%. 2,3 Majority of cases of otomycosis are fungal in origin and amongst them Asperigellius and Candida species predominate. These fungi as major causative organisms were reported by Geaney et al and by Lakshmipathi and Murthy.…”