Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The diagnosis of otomycosis is usually based on clinical signs, symptoms and predisposing factors to which the patient is exposed. Mycologic examination of samples is required for an adequate antifungal treatment. However, the access to this analysis is very low in low-income settings, and most of the treatments are probabilistic. We aimed to provide the mycologic profile of otomycosis in our environment. We carried out a descriptive and cross sectional study from October 2016 to May 2017 in the University Teaching Hospital of Yaounde. Consenting patients with symptoms of otomycosis were included and samples from the external auditory canal were collected for fresh mount analysis and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium was done for up to 5 days. Pathogens were identified from their morphologic characteristics on low magnification. The prevalence was reported with 95% confidence interval, and qualitative variables were described with numbers and percentages. A total of 60 participants were included, with a mean age of 32.8 ± 15.8 years and a predominance of female participants (62%). The use of cotton swabs was the most frequent predisposing factor for otomycosis (50%). Itching was the commonest symptom (85%). The overall prevalence of otomycosis in the population was 66.7% (95% CI: 54.1-77.3%), with A. niger, Candida species, A. flavus and other Aspergillus species representing the most encountered fungi. Otomycosis is common in the otolaryngology service, affecting mostly young people and females. Treatment targeting A. niger like imidazole may be used as first line probabilistic antifungal treatments.
Language: English
Topic: Ear Surgery and Otitis Media
Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4390054717