title: Otomycosis: prevalence, clinical symptoms, therapeutic procedure.
abstract: Local lesions observed in otitis, create favourable conditions for the growth of fungi and development of mycoses both in the external and middle ear, as well as in post-operative cavities, especially in cases of open-type surgery. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of mycotic infections in inflammatory conditions of the ear; (2) to evaluate the relationship between the presence of fungi and clinical symptoms of inflammation; and (3) to construct a model of therapeutic procedure. The study concerned 345 individuals, including 295 patients (381 ears) who presented with symptoms of otitis. The mycological examinations revealed presence of fungi in 30.4% cases (116 ears). Positive culture results were obtained predominantly in patients with post-operative suppuration (52.8%). Otomycosis was more often associated with fungi of the genus Candida (3/5) than with fungi of the genus Aspergillus (2/5). The analysis of symptoms in otomycoses showed that in bacteria-induced otitis, pruritus, discharge, post-operative defective hearing and headaches are most common; the analysis of signs showed that reddened epidermis and lining of the tympanic cavity are statistically more frequent. The therapeutic protocol adopted in otomycoses yields good results: 89%--complete cure.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Treatment of Parasitic Diseases and Mycoses, Medical University of Lódź, Poland. pkurna@katedra.dofa.am.lodzpl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurnatowski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filipiak
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006261:Headache / Q000473:pathology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010866:Natamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010031:Otitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000473:pathology; D013492:Suppuration / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010866:Natamycin; D015725:Fluconazole