Fungal infection of the ear: A common problem in the north eastern part of Haryana

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungal agents, sex distribution and predisposing factors involved in otomycosis.MethodsSamples from the 118 clinically suspected patients of otomycosis were collected between January 2008 and February 2009, with an age group of 6 and 75 years. Mycological examination of all the samples was done to isolate the fungal agents involved in otomycosis.ResultsMycological examination has revealed the confirmation of fungal otomycosis in 78% of the suspected patients. Pruritus has been found as the most common symptom. The major predisposing factors responsible for the otomycosis have been found as the wearing of traditional customary clothes followed by itching on other body parts and swimming. It has been found to be more prevalent in females than males in the age group of 31–40 years, higher incidence occurring in the rainy season. The fungi involved in otomycosis belonged to Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. luchuensis, A. terreus, Candida albicans and Penicillium sp. Of these, A. niger followed by A. flavus were the dominant fungi. Aspergillus luchuensis as the cause of otomycosis has been reported for the first time.ConclusionFinally we can say higher incidence of otomycosis may be due to high degree of humidity, warm and dusty environment. So, keeping in view the high prevalence of otomycosis in India, critical diagnosis of the causative agent by employing aseptic and proper culture techniques and susceptibility testing for proper treatment of this disease is the need of the hour.