Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

Clinical presentation of aspergillus and candida in otomycosis: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary hospital in

A B Darmawan1, N Krisniawati2, B J Darmayan1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Jenderal Soedirman-Margono Soekarjo Hospital, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

The Medical Journal of Malaysia
|August 12, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Aspergillus and Candida cause similar symptoms in otomycosis (fungal ear infections). Microbiological tests are crucial for distinguishing between these fungal infections, as clinical signs often overlap.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Otomycosis, a fungal infection of the external auditory canal, is prevalent in tropical areas.
  • Aspergillus and Candida are primary causative agents, but clinical differentiation is difficult due to similar symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the distribution of fungal etiologies in otomycosis.
  • To compare clinical manifestations and predisposing factors between Aspergillus and Candida otomycosis.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study included 41 patients aged 17+ with confirmed otomycosis.
  • Fungal identification used culture and microscopy; data analyzed with chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

  • Aspergillus (58.9%) and Candida (41.1%) were the main fungi; 16.1% had mixed infections.
  • No significant differences in symptoms (itching, hearing loss, ear fullness) or physical findings between Aspergillus and Candida.
  • Ear drops and cotton bud use were linked to Aspergillus infections.

Conclusions:

  • Significant clinical overlap between Aspergillus and Candida otomycosis necessitates microbiological confirmation for accurate diagnosis.
  • Effective otomycosis management relies on precise etiological identification.

More Related Videos

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung15:01

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung

Published on: September 18, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...