Otomycosis in Damascus, Syria: Etiology and clinical features

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 (۱۵۳ [۵۱.۱۷%] male and ۱۴۶ [۴۸.۸۳%] 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 ۷۰ (۲۳.۴%) cases, with the highest prevalence in males aged ۱۶-۷۵ years (۷۳.۶%). The isolation rates of mold and yeast fungi were ۷۵.۷% and ۲۴.۳%, respectively. The most common presentations were otorrhea (۹۸.۶۶%), otalgia (۱۸.۰۶%), and hearing loss (۶.۳۵%). Our results showed that ۶۴.۲۸% of otomycosis agents were Aspergillus species. A. niger was the most common agent (۴۵.۷%), and ۲۴.۳% 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:

Aspergillus , Candida , Otomycosis , Syria