Otomycosis: a retrospective study

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external ear canal with only a few studies about its real frequence in Brazil. AIM: to evaluate otomycosis frequence and characteristics in patients with clinical suspicion of external otitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study with transversal cohort (2000-2006). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 103 patients were assigned to mycological diagnosis (direct microscopic examination and culture). RESULTS: Otomycosis was diagnosed in 19.4% of the patients. Patient age varied from 2 to 66 years (an average of 23.5 years of age), and 60% of otomycosis cases were seen in women between 2 to 20 years of age. Chronic otitis, previous antibiotic therapy and the lack of cerumen were predisposing factors; itching, otalgia, otorrhea and hypoacusis were the symptoms reported by the patients. The most frequently isolated species were C. albicans (30%), C. parapsilosis (20%), A. niger (20%), A. flavus (10%), A. fumigatus (5%), C. tropicalis (5%), Trichosporon asahii (5%) and Scedosporium apiospermum (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Otomycosis is endemic in JoÆo Pessoa-PB. Clinical exam and mycological studies are important for diagnostic purposes because otomycosis symptoms are not specific.