Abstract:
Aims: To the determine prevalence, mycology profile, associated symptoms and risk factors of
otomycosis among patients that present with an ear discharge.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study in which survey data was analysed.
Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Microbiology and ENT, Faculty of Medicine,
Mbarara University Teaching Hospital, between 2013 and 2015. Methodology: We recruited 117 patients (52 men, 65 women of age range 1-69 years) presenting
with a discharging ear. Both newly enrolled and follow-up patients were included in the study.
Clinically, patients were assessed for symptoms, possible predisposing factors, and treatment
history. For laboratory diagnosis, ear swabs were aseptically collected and mycology profile
determined using both direct examination and culture techniques. Fungal identification was through
stimulation of fruiting bodies such as conidia or chlamydospores and biochemical identification.
Results: Of the 117 participants enrolled, fungal infection was detected in 24 (20.51%) with direct
microscopy and confirmed in 16 (13.68%) by culture. Otomycosis was more common among the
youth (54%). There were no statistically significant symptoms associated with otomycosis.
However, HIV/AIDS and mastoidectomy were significant predisposing factors (38%, p = 0.001 and
25%, p = 0.002, respectively). Aspergillus species (76.47%), Candida albicans (17.65%) and
Cladosporium species (5.88%) were the agents commonly associated with otomycosis in this
region.
Conclusion: Otomycosis can be common and is an important disease of the external ear,
especially in at-risk individuals. In southwestern Uganda, the disease is common among young
males and aetiology is mainly due to Aspergillus and Candida albicans but other opportunists such
as Cladosporium species may also be implicated. Thus, there is a need for routine checks followed
by robust diagnostic approaches as a means for evidence-based patient management.
