Topical antibiotic induced otomycosis

Prior to 1999, the diagnosis of otomycosis as a cause of persistent otorrhea was rare. An increase incidence has been seen in among our outpatient pediatric otolaryngology practice. The purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of ototopical antibiotic drops to the development of otomycosis. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Pediatric otolaryngology outpatient center. Methods: Chart review of all patients diagnosed with otomycosis between June 1999 and September 2001. Twenty-six patients (ages 17 months-29 years) were diagnosed with otomycosis based on clinical and microbiological findings after treatment with topical ofloxacin antibiotic drops. All patients had used ototopical antibiotics, including ofloxacin in every case, for presumed bacterial otorrhea. Once the fungal source was recognized, therapy succeeded in each case (26/26). Physicians need an elevated suspicion of otomycosis as a cause of persistent otorrhea, especially following treatment with topical antibiotic drops. Appropriate treatment of otomycosis eliminates otorrhea. Ofloxacin remains an excellent choice for bacterial otorrhea, but it appears to increase the incidence of otomycosis. Thus, its usage warrants careful post-treatment follow-up.