The prevalence of otomycosis in Kashan, Iran, during 2001-2003

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of external auditory meatus and is caused by several fungi such as saprophytes, yeasts and /or dermatophytes. The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence rate of fungal otitis in Kashan, Esfahan. This study was carried out on patients, referring to medical mycology laboratory (Golabchi laboratory, Kashan, Iran) during the years 2001-2003. Patients suffering from external otitis consulted with otorhino-laryngology specialists, and referred to our laboratory. Sterile swabs were used for sampling and direct smear and cultivation techniques were used for identification. From 910 patients suffering from external otitis 52 patients (5.7%) were diagnosed to have otomycosis, 16 patients (30.8%) were males and 36 (69.2%) were females. Aspergillus niger was the most common cause of otomycosis (32, 61.5%) and only one case (1.2%) was diagnosed with Scopulariopsis. This study demonstrated that otomycosis is relatively prevalent in Kasahn where has hot and dried climate. In addition, result shows a high prevalence rate for A. niger in otomycosis patients.