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Necrotising external otitis caused by Aspergillus wentii: a case report

C Halsey, H Lumley, J Luckit

    Mycoses
    |January 12, 2010
    PubMed

    Insights

    Necrotising external otitis (NEO) is a severe infection. This case highlights Aspergillus wentii as a rare cause of NEO in immunocompromised patients, emphasizing early diagnosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Mycology
    • Otolaryngology

    Background:

    • Necrotising external otitis (NEO) is a severe, potentially fatal infection, typically affecting elderly individuals with diabetes or compromised immune systems.
    • Pseudomonas species are the most common pathogens, but opportunistic infections can occur in immunocompromised hosts.

    Observation:

    • This report details the first documented case of NEO caused by Aspergillus wentii, a previously unrecognized human pathogen.
    • The patient's immunocompromised status likely contributed to this unusual opportunistic infection.

    Findings:

    • Fungal NEO, as demonstrated by this Aspergillus wentii case, is associated with a significant incidence of cranial nerve palsies.
    • Delayed diagnosis and treatment of fungal NEO may lead to severe morbidity, including neurological complications.

    Implications:

    • Early consideration of fungal infections is crucial for immunocompromised patients presenting with NEO.
    • Prompt microbiological diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes in cases of fungal NEO.

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