title: Otomycosis: a retrospective study.
abstract: Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external ear canal with only a few studies about its real frequency in Brazil.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate otomycosis frequency and characteristics in patients with clinical suspicion of external otitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study with transversal cohort (2000-2006).
  
  
  METHODS
  103 patients were assigned to mycological diagnosis (direct microscopic examination and culture).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Otomycosis was diagnosed in 19.4% of the patients. Patient age varied from 2 to 66 years (an average of 23.5 years of age), and 60% of otomycosis cases were seen in women between 2 to 20 years of age. Chronic otitis, previous antibiotic therapy and the lack of cerumen were predisposing factors; itching, otalgia, otorrhea and hypoacusis were the symptoms reported by the patients. The most frequently isolated species were C. albicans (30%), C. parapsilosis (20%), A. niger (20%), A. flavus (10%), A. fumigatus (5%), C. tropicalis (5%), Trichosporon asahii (5%) and Scedosporium apiospermum (5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Otomycosis is endemic in João Pessoa-PB. Clinical exam and mycological studies are important for diagnostic purposes because otomycosis symptoms are not specific.
authors: Zélia Braz Vieira da Silva
authors: ZB
authors: Pontes
authors: Anna Débora Ferreira
authors: AD
authors: Silva
authors: Edeltrudes de Oliveira
authors: Ede O
authors: Lima
authors: Márcio de Holanda
authors: Mde H
authors: Guerra
authors: Neuza Maria Cavalcanti
authors: NM
authors: Oliveira
authors: Maria de Fátima Farias Peixoto
authors: Mde F
authors: Carvalho
authors: Felipe Sarmento Queiroga
authors: FS
authors: Guerra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult