[Analysis of 40 cases of otomycosis]

Otomycosis is a rare clinical process, with peculiar characteristics concerning its etiology and presentation, depending on the geographic area. In order to determine the most common agents, the clinical and epidemiological aspects in mycotic external otitis, 40 episodes detected during one year period were analyzed.

Forty patients with otomycosis diagnosed (positive microbiological culture) were studied. Fungi were identified in accordance with morphological and biochemical criteria.

Candida parapsilosis (42.9%) and Aspergillus niger (35.7%) were the commonest agents. In three episodes were found associated bacterial flora. The patients were males (60.0%), between the ages of 31-40 (35.0%) and over 50 years old (37.5%). The symptoms were the usual for these processes: serous fluid, otalgia and itching. The majority of the episodes occurred in the summer (57.5%) and autumn (30.0%), due to sea bathing (90.0%), trauma (27.5%) and prior antimicrobial treatment (40.0%).

Candida parapsilosis is as an important pathogen of otomycosis in our environment, though the participation of Aspergillus niger is also remarkable, as it happens in other geographic areas. The contact with seawater and the antimicrobial treatment are the main factors which favor the infection; climatical conditions could cooperate to it in great extent. The observed symptoms are similar to the bacterial otitis, but of lesser intensity.