The fungal profile of otomycosis patients in Ilorin, Nigeria.

The pathogenic fungi associated with ear infection among 142 patients with clinical signs of otomycosis are reported. 76(54%) were positive for at least one organism. The isolates included: Aspergillus (63.2%), Candida (35.5%), and Mucor (0.7%). Further analysis showed that Candida species comprised C. albicans (18.4%), C. tropicalis (10.5%), and C. pseudotropicalis (6.6%), while A. fumigatus (39.5%), A. niger (23.7), and Mucor (0.7%), were other significant pathogens. Males and females were almost equally affected, while the preponderance of positive patients (79%) were +21 years old. There were 7(9%) bilateral, 29(38%) left unilateral and 40(53%) right unilateral ear infections respectively. This report has provided useful information on the prevalence, health implications, and preventive measures against causative agents of otomycosis, an infection grossly neglected in our environment.