EVALUATION OF BACTERIAL COINFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH OTOMYCOSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
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Abstract
Otomycosis is a common external ear infection frequently seen in tropical regions. While fungi are the primary pathogens, bacterial coinfections are increasingly recognized, complicating treatment outcomes.
Objectives: To identify the predominant fungal and bacterial species in otomycosis and to evaluate the coexistence of fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Methods: This prospective study included 130 clinically and microbiologically confirmed cases of otomycosis (aged 18–65 years) attending the ENT outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai over six months. Fungal and bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques.
Results: The majority of patients were aged 26–35 years (30.77%), with a slight female predominance (55.38%). Aspergillus niger was the most common fungus isolated (64.62%), followed by Candida spp. (21.54%). Bacterial growth was observed in 94.61% of samples, with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (38.46%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%) being predominant. Notably, A. niger commonly coexisted with MRSA (23.81%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.62%), while Candida spp. were strongly associated with MRSA (71.43%).
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Dr.Naveen Kumar B
Assistant Professor, Department of ENT, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr.MGR Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be university)
Dr.Gayathri Devi R
Assistant Professor, Department of ENT, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr.MGR Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be university),
Dr.Dianitta DevapriyaVeronica
Associate Professor, Department of ENT, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr.MGR Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be university)
Dr.Santhosh
Post Graduate, Department of ENT, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr.MGR Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be university)
Dr. Pavithra R
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr.MGR Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be university)