Otomycosis in Damascus, Syria: Etiology and clinical features

Authors

1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Arab International University (AIU), Ghabaghib, Daraa Governorate, Syria

2 Research Department, Arab International University (AIU), Ghabaghib, Daraa Governorate, Syria

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Otomycosis is a fungal infection that frequently involves the external auditory canal. The epidemiologic data on the etiologic agents of otomycosis in Syria are very limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the fungal agents, gender distribution, and clinical presentation of otomycosis.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred and ninety nine patients (153 [51.17%] male and 146 [48.83%] female) clinically prediagnosed as otomycosis were studied at Al-mouassat University Hospital and ENT Crescent Syrian Clinic. Clinical samples were collected from the ear discharges and cultured on Sabouraud Agar.
Results: Otomycosis was diagnosed in 70 (23.4%) cases, with the highest prevalence in males aged 16-75 years (73.6%). The isolation rates of mold and yeast fungi were 75.7% and 24.3%, respectively. The most common presentations were otorrhea (98.66%), otalgia (18.06%), and hearing loss (6.35%). Our results showed that 64.28% of otomycosis agents were Aspergillus species. A. niger was the most common agent (45.7%), and 24.3% of the pathogens were C. albicans.
Conclusion: Otomycosis agents most commonly belonged to the genus of Aspergillus followed by Candida, which should be seriously considered by physicians for appropriate treatment.
 

Keywords


Volume 3, Issue 3
September 2017
Pages 27-30
  • Receive Date: 09 July 2019
  • Revise Date: 05 November 2020
  • Accept Date: 09 July 2019
  • Publish Date: 01 September 2017