A Survey of Otomycosis in Eastern Azarbaidjan "Research Center of Tropical & Infectious Diseases, TabrizUniversityof Medical Sciences"

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associated Professor of Molecular Medical Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,Tabriz, Iran

2 Associated Professor of ENT, TabrizUniversity of Medical Sciences,Tabriz, Iran

3 Associated Professor of Medical Mycology, Yazd, Iran

4 Master of Science (MSc), School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Science, Tabriz, Iran

5 General Practitioner

6 Tutor, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Otomycosis (Otitis externa) is a fungal infection of the external ear canal with only a few studies about its real frequency in Iran. To evaluate otomycosis frequency and characteristics in patients with clinical suspicion of external otitis the present study was carried out in eastern Azarbaidjan (North – West of Iran) during 2006-2008.
Materials and Methods
A total of 53 patients were assigned to mycological diagnosis (direct microscopic examination and culture). Clinical samples of suspected patients were studied for laboratory identification in direct microscopy and cultured in specific mediums for the determination of their causative fungi.
Results
Over all 43 fungal isolates [14 male (33%) and 29 female (67%)] were taken from 53 patients suspected of otomycosis. The mycose was more prevalent in 20-40 years age group in both sexes. The most common pathogen was Aspergillus niger (40 cases), followed by A fumigatus (3 cases) and Candida albicans (2 cases). In clinical samples of some cases two different fungi were isolated at the same time.
Conclusion
Saprophytic molds were the main etiologic agents of otomycosis, and A. niger was the prime causal agent. Infection in 20–40 age groups had the most prevalence and otomycosis among females was determined more than males. This study provided useful information on the prevalence, causative agents and health implications of otomycosis, as an infection grossly neglected in studied environment.

Keywords

References

1-Munguia R, Daniel SJ. Ototopical antifungals and otomycosis: a review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2008; 72:453-
459.
2-Stern JC, Shah MK, Lucente FE. In vitro effectiveness of 13 agents in Otomycosis and review of the literature.
Laryngoscope 1988; 98:1173-1177.
3-Wang MC, Liu CY, Shiao AS, Wang T. Ear problems in swimmers. J Chin Med Assoc 2005; 68:347-352.
4-Pulec JL, Deguine C. Otomycosis with pus. Ear Nose Throat J 2002; 81:370.
5-Kaieda S. Fungal infection in the otorinolaryngologic era. Nippon Rinsho 2008; 66:2290-2293.
6-Vlastarakos PV, Nikolopoulos TP, Manolopoulos L, Ferekidis E, Kreatsas G. Treating common ear problems in
pregnancy: What is safe? Euro Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2008; 265:139-145.
7-Weon JL, Hyun CS, Kyung DP, Jae BJ, Soon BS, Young JB, et al. A clinicomycologic study of dermatophytosis of
the external auditory meatus. Korean J Dermatol 2008; 44:1171-1177.
8-Fasunla J, Ibekwe T, Onakoya, P. Otomycosis in western Nigeria. Mycoses 2008; 51:67-70.
9-Burgos Sanchez A, Menaches Guardiola MI, Gras Albert JR, Talavera Sanchez J. Descriptive study of infectious ear
disease in relation to summer (abstract). Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp 2000; 51:19-24.
10- Tisner J, Millan J, Rivas P, Adiego I, Castellote A. Otomycosis and topical application of thimerosal: study of 152
cases (abstract). Acta Otorinolaringiol Esp 1995; 46:85-89.
11- Hueso Gutiérrez P, Jiménez Alvarez S, Gil-Carcedo Sañudo E, Gil-Carcedo García LM, Ramos Sánchez C, Vallejo
Valdezate LA. Presumption diagnosis: otomycosis. A 451 patients study (abstract). Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp 2005;
56:181-186.
12- Araiza J, Canseco P, Bonifaz A. Otomycosis: clinical and mycological study of 97 cases. Rev Laryngol Otol
Rhinol (Bord) 2006; 127:251-254.
13- Rutt AL, Sataloff RT. Aspergillus otomycosis in an immunocompromised patient. Ear Nose Throat J 2008; 87:622-623.
14- Kumar A. Fungal spectrum in otomycosis patients. JK Science 2005; 7:152-155.
15- Baumgartner BJ, Rakita RM, Backous DD. Scedosporium apiospermum otomycosis. Am J Otolaryngol 2007;
28:254-256.
16- Tsuji T, Kiuchi N, Hattori K, Koizuka I. Two cases of tympanic perforation due to otomycosis. Otorhinolaryngol
Tokyo 2007; 50:178-181.
17- Mahmoudabadi AZ. Mycological studies in 15 cases of otomycosis. Pakistan J Med Sci 2005; 22:486-488. 
 
18- Sagnelli M, Cristalli G, Bruno E, Marzullo C, Abramo A, Pollastrini L. Otomycosis: a microbiological study of 147
cases of otitis externa (abstract). An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am 1993; 20:521-230.
19- Donamayor, Hernandez C. Ear infections by Aspergillus. An Otorrinolaringol (abstract). Ibero Am 1990; 17:535-44.
20- Kurdina MI. The problem of otomycosis treatment (abstract). Voen Med Zh 2003; 324:49-51.
21- Baylancicek S, Serin GM, Ciprut A, Sari M, Akdaş F, Tutkun A. Ototoxic effect of topical ciclopirox as an
antimycotic preparation. Otol Neurotol 2008; 29:910-913.
22- Kaya AD, Kiraz N.In vitro susceptibilities of Aspergillus spp. causing otomycosis to amphotericin B, voriconazole
and itraconazole. Mycoses 2007; 50:447-450.
23- Karaarslan A, Arikan S, Ozcan M, Ozcan KM. In vitro activity of terbinafine and itraconazole against Aspergillus
species isolated from otomycosis. Mycoses 2004; 47:284-287.
24- Ozcan KM, Ozcan M, Karaarslan A, Karaarslan F. Otomycosis in Turkey: predisposing factors, aetiology and
therapy. J Laryngol Otol 2003; 117:39-42.
25- Aslan A, Altuntas A, Titiz A, Arda HN, Nalca Y. A new dosage regimen for topical application of ciprofloxacin in
the management of chronic suppurative otitis media. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998; 118:883-885.
26- Yehia MM, Al-Habib HM, Shehab NM. Otomycosis: a Common problem in north Iraq. J Laryngol 1990; 104:387-389.
27- Martin AM, Canut A, Munoz S, Pescador C, Gomez JL. Otomycosis: Presentation of 15 cases. Enferm Infece
Microbiol Clin 1989; 7:284–251.
28- Kiakojuri K, Roushan MR, Sepidgar SA. Suction clearance and 2% topical miconazole versus the same combination
with acidic drops in the treatment of otomycosis. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2007; 38:749-53.
29- Afshari M, Kachuei R, Ajallpeian M. Survey of otomycosis among Patients in ENT clinic of Baghiat-Allah
hospital. J Tebbe Nezami 2005; 27:121-24.
30- Kiakjouri K. Survey of otomycosis among 175 patients during 1989-1992. Shafi Sci Cultur J 1994; 55-49.
31- Sefidgar S, Kiakjouri K, Sharifi F. External ear fungal infection in patients with otomycosis. Babol Med Scie Uni J
2001; 1:25-29.
32- Shokouhi T, Ahanjan M, Kasiri A. Microbiological and mycological survey of external otitis in ENT clinic of Boali
hospital during 2001 summer. Mazandaran Uni Med Sci J 2001; 32:1-10.
33- Pradhan B, Tuladhar NR, Amatya RM. Prevalence of Otomycosis in outpatient department of otolaryngology in
Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2003; 112:384-387.
34- Kurnatowski P, Filipiak A. Otomycosis: prevalence, clinical symptoms, therapeutic procedure. Mycoses 2001;
44:472-479.
35- Nwabuisi C, Ologe FE. The fungal profile of Otomycosis patients in Ilorin, Nigeria. Niger J Med 2001; 10:124-126.
36- Kaur R, Mittal N, Kakkar M, Aggarwal AK, Mathur MD. Otomycosis: a clinicomycologic study. Ear Nose Throat
J. 2000; 79:606-9. 
medical journal of mashhad university of medical sciences
Volume 52, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
November and December 2009
Pages 233-238

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics