[Otomycosis and topical application of thimerosal: study of 152 cases]

To evaluate the effectiveness of the topical application of Timerosal (merthilate tintura) in mycosis involving the external auditory canal.

The study includes 152 patients with the clinical, otoscopic and microscopic diagnosis of otomycosis. Results were assessed 72 hours and 10 days after the application.

Bacteriological study was performed in 83 patients, finding Aspergilly niger in 54.0% of the cases, Candida albicans in 25.4%, Aspergillus fumigatus in 15.8% and Penicillium in 4.8%. Improvement at 72 h. was found in 66.4% and at 10 days in 93.4% of the patients. Bacteriological contamination was found in 6.6% of the total.

In most of the patients, the otomycosis healed after cleaning of the external auditory canal and topical application of timerosal. This method is easy to apply, fast, effective, of low cost and few side effects.