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The changing nature of paediatric otomycosis in the mid-west of Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2020

D Westby ,
N O'Connell ,
J Powell  and
J E Fenton
D Westby*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
N O'Connell
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
J Powell
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
J E Fenton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Ireland
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Daniel Westby, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Fungal otitis externa is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates; however, over the past two decades, there has been a reported increase in the prevalence of otomycosis in paediatric patients from more temperate climates. This study aimed to review the children diagnosed with otomycosis at the University Hospital Limerick with reference to frequency, causative organism, predisposing factors and management.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of paediatric patients from 2001 to 2015. Patients with positive fungal ear swabs and a diagnosis of otomycosis were identified.

Results

Ninety-three patients were positive for candida (mean age, 5.8 years), 10 patients were positive for aspergillus (mean age, 9.1 years) and 1 patient had mixed fungal infection containing both fungi. There was a positive correlation between a diagnosis of otomycosis and prior treatment with topical fluoroquinolones (r = 0.8; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The incidence of otomycosis has been increasing since 2001, which correlates with an increase in the use of topical fluoroquinolones. Previous studies identify aspergillus as the commonest causative fungi; however, this study found that candida was the commonest isolated fungi in the paediatric population.

Keywords

OtomycosisFluoroquinolonesPediatricsOtitis ExternaFungal Infections
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 7 , July 2020 , pp. 592 - 596
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2020

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Footnotes

Dr D Westby takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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