Research Article | Open Access
Sapna Chauhan1 and Surender2
1Department of Microbiology, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar – 251203, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2Department of Anaesthesia, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar – 251203, Uttar Pradesh, India.
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2021;15(2):813-818 | Article Number: 6856
https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.15.2.35 | © The Author(s). 2021
Received: 14/01/2021 | Accepted: 14/05/2021 | Published: 28/05/2021
Abstract

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is commonly encountered chronic inflammation of middle ear as well as the mastoid cavity due to dysfunction of Eustachian tube followed by microbial infection. Fungal infection in CSOM is now a major otolarynological problem in India not only in children but in adults too. Excessive use of steroids, antibiotics, cytotoxic chemotherapies and immunosuppressive diseases has increased the incidence of otomycosis in recent years. To define the aetiology of clinically diagnosed otomycosis. To isolate and identify fungal agents and their association with different factors(age, sex, predisposing factors). A total of 100 clinically diagnosed patients of CSOM with suspicion of otomycosis were included in the study. Patients where passing swab is difficult as with canal stenosis were excluded. Samples were taken using sterile swabs and studied for microbial profile. Male to female ratio in study was 1.6:1. The most common fungi isolated in CSOM cases was Aspergillus fumigatus followed by Aspergillus niger. Other fungus isolated were Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium species, Mucor species and Candida species. 04 samples showed mixed growth of Aspergillus species and Candida species. In our study we concluded that Aspergillus complex was most commonly isolated fungi in CSOM cases.

Keywords

CSOM, Otomycosis, Aspergillus spp

Introduction

Otomycosis has a worldwide distribution. Its prevalence in CSOM cases can be high as 77%1. However it is more prevalent in warm, humid climates as compared to arid or cold. Recent years have reported an increase in not only prevalence of otomycosis but also an increase in therapeutic failure. Excessive use of steroids, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, cytotoxic chemotherapies and immunosuppressive diseases has increased the incidence of otomycosis in recent years2.

Otomycosis in CSOM presents with non specific symptoms that include intractable itching, irritation, discomfort, pain and discharge from ear. Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal genera responsible for otomycosis. Aspergillus alone accounts for 75 % of cases with Aspergillus niger being the commonest followed by A. flavus and A. fumigatus3.

Several predisposing factors like increased and indiscriminate use of topical antibiotics, instillation of hot oil/water in the ear, unhygienic mopping of ear, use of hearing aids, swimming in contaminated water etc are associated with Otomycosis2.

The present study was undertaken with the aim of defining the aetiology of clinically diagnosed otomycosis, in CSOM patients, to isolate and identify fungal agents and also their association with different factors(age, sex, predisposing factors).

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Department of ENT of Muzaffarnagar Medical College. The study was initiated after obtaining approval from Institutional ethical committee. A total of 100 clinically diagnosed patients of CSOM were included in the study. Patients where passing swab is difficult as with canal stenosis were excluded. Demographic details age, sex, occupation and history of associated risk factors was collected from each study participant. History of Immunocompromised state like diabetes, pregnancy, HIV, autoimmune disorders etc was also recorded in the case recording form.

Samples were taken using sterile swabs. Three swabs were collected and transported immediately to the laboratory. One swab was used for Gram staining, second swab for direct examination of fungal elements using 10% potassium hydroxide and third swab was processed for fungal culture.

For fungal culture two sets of Sabouraud’s dextrose agar were incubated at 37 and 25 °C. These were examined for any growth every day on first week and twice a week for next three weeks. Growth was observed for rate of growth, morphology of colonies, texture and surface pigmentation. Microscopic examination using Lacto phenol cotton blue and slide culture were done to identify the fungi. Gram staining, germ tube test were performed for Candida species. A negative fungal culture report was given after 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Age, Sex, Occupation and Socioeconomic Status: The study population consisted of 39% females and 61% males (Table 1). The highest incidence was in the age group of 21-30 years while none of the patient was reported in paediatric age group of 0-10 years(Table 2). Maximum number of male patients were involved in agricultural and other associated work. Most of the females were housewives. (Table 3).

Table (1):
Gender wise distribution of study population.

Sex
Percentage(%)
Male
61
Female
39

Table (2):
Age-wise distribution of study population.

Age group
Percentage(%)
0-10
0
11-20
7
21-30
45
31-40
28
41-50
9
51-60
4
61 and above
7

Table (3):
Distribution of study population according to occupation.

Occupation
Percentage(%)
Agricultural labourer
27
Housewife
17
Manual labourer
20
Retired
6
Student
13
Teacher
9
Sales Job
8

Side and laterality: Of study population, 39% had otomycosis of left ear, 53% of right ear and only 8% had bilateral otomycosis.

Predisposing factors: The most common predisposing factor in our study came out to be instillation of ear drops with 49% followed by use of topical antibiotics(17%).(Table 4). Other predisposing features seen were Swimming in ponds/river, diabetes and post surgery (Table 4).

Table (4):
Distribution of study population according to predisposing factors.

Predisposing factors
Percentage(%)
Use of hot oil/water in ear
49
Bath in river/pond
9
Use of topical antibiotics/steroids
17
Diabetes
5
Post mastoidectomy
2
Not significant
18

Microbiology: Amongst 100 patients 3 did not show any fungal growth. Aspergillus species was most common fungus isolated, seen in 69% cases.A. fumigatus complex was the commonest (37%) followed by A. niger(20%) and A. flavus (12%).Candida species(18%), Mucor species(2%) and Penicillium (4%) were other fungi isolated. 3 cases showed mixed infection by Candida spp and A.fumigatus while 1 case had mixed growth of Candida and A. niger. (Table 5)

Table (5):
Different fungi isolated from study population.

Fungus isolated
Percentage(%)
Aspergillus fumigatus
37
Aspergillus niger
20
Aspergillus flavus
12
Candida spp.
18
Mucor spp.
2
Penicillium spp.
4
Candida spp+ Aspergillus fumigatus
3
Candida spp+ Aspergillus niger
1
No growth
3
DISCUSSION

Incidence of fungal infections has shown an increasing trend in recent years. Increased number of immunocompromised patients and indiscriminate use of topical antibiotics renders individuals more susceptible to Otomycosis. Such patients land up in therapeutic failure to antibiotic treatment, hence knowing the causative fungi is desirable for effective treatment in all CSOM cases.

In our study male to female patient ratio came out to be 1.6:1. The highest incidence of otomycosis in CSOM was seen in young males. This is in accordance with studies by many authors4, 5, 6, 7. These young males were mainly involved in agricultural work and labour work. Highest incidence in these may be attributed to the fact that they are more exposed to saprophytic fungal spores as compared to elderly. Similar findings are also recorded in studies by various other authors8, 9, 10. Amongst females most of them(17%) were housewives who are usually involved in household work. Housewives sweep the house/floor/garden and so may have more chances of being exposed to fungal spores.

In our study only 8% of individuals showed bilateral involvement which corresponds to studies by Ho T et al and Aggarwal SK et al who found bilateral involvement in 7% and 7.89% cases10,11. Unilateral involvement was as high as 92% which correlated with studies by Aggarwal SK et al and Paulose KO et al11,12.

The incidence of Otomycosis was seen highest in those individual who gave history of instillation of hot oil into the ear (49%) followed by the use of topical antibiotics and steroids(17%). This is in accordance to study done by Prasad SC et al2.

Lack of knowledge and belief in certain myths that application of hot oil(Coconut or mustard usually ) will be beneficial in curing ear problems may be the reason of increased in the incidence of Otomycosis.

Another important predisposing factor in our study came out to be the use of antibiotic drops/steroids for various ear ailments without valid medical consultation. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics disrupt the commensal flora of external auditory canal, may change the pH favouring growth of fungus.

Another important predisposing factor (9%)came out to be swimming in pond/river. Swimming keeps the external auditory canal moist also removes the protective lipid layer lining the canal causing damage to the meatal wall thus favouring fungal growth. 5% patients in our study were diabetic. No other immunocompromised state or disease was identified in any of the study subjects. Thus there is a need to control the co morbid conditions as well so as to prevent recurrences and refractoriness to treatment.

2% cases were seen post mastoidectomy. This is similar to study done by Pradhan et al5. Surgeries may favour fungal growth because of use of antibiotics and steroids, also surgeries disrupt the anatomy, cause meatal damage which may be favouring fungal growth.

Amongst 100 cases, 3 samples did not show any fungal growth. Self-medication with antifungal agents, improper sample collection and stringent growth requirements by certain fungus may prevent their growth on culture media.

Out of the remaining 97, the most commonly isolated organism was Aspergillus species(69%) followed by Candida Species(18%). Amongst Aspergillus, A.fumigatus was isolated in 37%, A.niger in 20% and A.flavus in 12% samples. Most of the studies worldwide13-17 and from India18-21 have showed similar findings of Aspergillus species being commonest followed by Candida species.

Although Aspergillus has been the common causative agents in most of the studies but its species differ in different studies.While in our study we report Aspergillus fumigatus to be the predominant species isolated, many studies report Aspergillus niger as most common. The distribution of fungi is affected geographically. Kaur et al have also reported Aspergillus fumigatus (41.1%) to be most common isolated fungi followed by Aspergillus niger(36.9%)9.

The other species isolated in our study were Candida species, Mucor species and Penicillium species. In a study by Prasad SC et al Aspergillus species was isolated in 80% of cases followed by Penicillium species(8%), Candida albicans(4%), Rhizopus species(1%) and Chrysosporium species(1%)2.

4 samples in our study showed a mixed growth of two fungi. 3 samples showed growth of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species and 1 sample showed mixed growth of Aspergillus niger and Candida species.6 cases in study by Prasad SC et al showed mixed growth of 2 fungi.3 had co-existing Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus while 3 had Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus2. Mixed infection of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans was also reported in a study from Nigeria22.

Also in a study by Priti Agarwal et al 32 samples showed mixed growth of 2 fungi. 14 had dual growth of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, 8 showed Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus, 6 Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus and 4 Aspergillus flavus and Candida species(23). Mixed fungal infection though rare but are difficult to treat and usually occur in immunosuppressed individuals24. Therapeutic failure in these mixed infections is probably due to biofilm formation25-27.

CONCLUSION

Otomycosis in CSOM cases is increasing worldwide. This is an alarm to otologists as well as a need to promptly evaluate patients who did not respond to antibacterial treatment.

In our study young males were most (61%) commonly affected population. It is usually a unilateral disease with 53% involvement of the right ear.

The incidence was seen high in individuals who gave history of instillation of hot oil into the ear (49%) followed by the use of topical antibiotics and steroids (17%).

The most commonly isolated etiological agent in cultures was Aspergillus species(69%) followed by Candida species(18%). Amongst Aspergillus, A.fumigatus was isolated in 37%, A.niger in 20% and A.flavus in 12% samples.

Mixed infection of two fungi was also seen in 4 cases.

Thus we conclude that it is necessary to go for laboratory examination of swabs collected from CSOM cases for fungal culture especially when patient have been using topical steroids or antibiotics for long time. Laboratory examination would also help in finding out mixed infections which may otherwise be difficult to treat. Also educating people about myths and on the counter use of antibiotics should be stopped, only then Otomycosis cases in CSOM will be reduced.

Declarations

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
None.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION
All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

FUNDING
None

ETHICS STATEMENT
Not applicable

AVAILABILITY OF DATA
All datasets generated or analysed during this study are included in the manuscript and/or the Supplementary Files.

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