Author:
Y Bahri*, S Ben.Belgacem, Y Maatouk, A Ben.Salah, M Mastouri
Author address:
Parasitologie-Mycology Laboratory FattoumaBouguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
Full conference title:
10th Advances Against Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis
Date: 2 February 2022
Abstract:
Introduction and purpose:
Otomycosis is a subacute or chronic external otitis caused by various of fungus. It often occurs due to Aspergillussp or Candida sp. Although there has been controversy to whether the fungi are the true infective agents or colonization species as a result of compromised local host immunity. This disease is a worldwide in distribution. Approximately 5-25% of total cases of otitis externa are due to fungal agents.
The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of otomycosis and study the species incriminated in this type of infection.
Methods:
This descriptive retrospective study was conducted at the laboratory of mycology at the University Hospital of Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia from February 2016 to December 2020. Inclusion criteria are a positive direct microscopy examination and/or positive culture.
Results:
In this study 197 positive samples were collected. The prevalence of otomycosis during the period we investigated was increasing. The prevalence of aspergillosis, candidosis as well as combined infections changed during the period of study with aspergillosis rising from 6 cases in 2016 to 26 cases in 2020. A total of 178 patients with otomycosis were enrolled in this study, 98 were female sex (55%) and 80 were male sex (45%), with a sex ratio 0.8. Otoaspergillosis and combined otomycosis were more prevalent in female patients than male patiens as opposed to otocandidosis. The mean age of patients was 44.5 years and the standard deviation was 23.3. We noticed that the percentage of otoaspergillosis is higher in the age range 21-60. Most otomycosis episodes (32%) were observed during autumn. 139 out of 197 (70.5%) samples were positive for fungal infection on direct microscopy examination while on Sabouraud chloramphenicol medium culture, 178 cultures were positive for fungal infection (90.5%). Otoaspergillosis (47.1%) was found to be more prevalent than otocandidosis. For Aspergillus genus the most present was Aspergillusflavus (42%) followed by Aspergillusniger (40%). Overall, 18 patient had a recurrence of otitis. The relapse of disease was slightly higher in women (89%) than in men and the majority were due to Aspergillus genus (77.8%).
Conclusion:
Despite widespread presence, and the huge prevalence of otomycosis in Tunisia, scientific literature offers very little information about this superficial mycosis. Therefore otomycosis remains a diagnostic problem and may contribute significantly to chronic ear disease as a whole implying the necessity for further epidemiological monitoring of this form of infection in Tunisia.
Abstract Number: 22
Conference Year: 2022
Link to conference website: https://aaam2022.org/
URL Conference abstract: