Mycology of Otomycosis in Port Harcourt

Tropical climate favors the growth of fungal infection in the ear resulting in otomycosis. This study is aimed at determining the predisposing factors, symptoms, prevalence and demographic data of patients diagnosed with otomycosis. This is a 1 year prospective hospital based study, between June 2017 to June 2018 at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria. Clinical features, predisposing factors and examination findings were noted on the administered questionnaire. Patients were examined and specimen collected for microscopy, culture, sensitivity and mycological studies. Our results show isolated fungi were present in 34 out of 120 ear swabs of patients and in 5 out of 120 ear swabs from the control group. The prevalence of otomycosis was 2.7%, while the ear symptom with the highest frequency was itching (86.7%) and debris in ear canal (67.6%). Patients with positive growth constitute 53% females and 47% males. Age groups 10-29 and 40-49 years had the highest and lowest number of infected patients, respectively. Candida was the commonest organism isolated accounting for 61.8% followed by Aspergillus spp. (23.5%) and Penicillium (8.8%).