Abstract

Aim: To analyse the clinical profile of otomycosis.
Materials and method: The data of this prospective study was collected from patients attending ENT Outpatient Department at tertiary health care centre over a period of two years from JUNE 2021 to October 2022. The study population included patients attending the ENT OPD who gave history of discharge, pain, pruritis and reduced hearing. Over a period of two years, 50 patients were studied. All swabs taken were subjected to microscopic examination by 10% KOH and those positive for fungal elements were inoculated over saborauds dextrose agar. No transport media was used as swabs were immediately inoculated over Saborauds dextrose agar media for 48-72 hours at 37 degree C. The growth of the fungus was studied using gross morphology. Fungus was removed from patients ears once a week for three to four weeks via aural toileting, which included dry mopping, suction clearance, aural syringing, and forceps. The eardrops clotrimazole (4 drops 8 times a day for 4 weeks) were used regardless of the results of the culture.
Results: Otomycosis is more common in the monsoon season. Males are twice as likely to be impacted as females. The most common risk factor is swimming. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans are all susceptible to being killed by using Clotrimazole ear drops.
Conclusion: The widespread dissemination of spores of fungal species including Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans explains why they are so frequently recovered from Otomycosis. Otomycosis recurs frequently, and systemic disease is a major contributor.