Mycoflora of human external auditory canal in Shiraz, southern Iran

Background: Otomycosis is a superficial mycotic infection of the outer ear canal caused by many saprophytic fungi that could be considered as causative agents. Detection of the fungal agents in the external auditory canal could be valuable to determine the potential risk of otomycosis. The aim of this study was to identify the mycoflora of the human auditory canal in healthy individuals in Shiraz, southern Iran. Methods: During three months, a total of 486 ear samples of 243 healthy individuals (100 females and 143 males) were randomly collected by sterile swabs and cultivated on Mycosel and Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with antibiotics. Fungal isolates were identified using conventional methods and chromogenic media. Results: Ten point twenty eight percent of the individuals were positive for ear fungal infections. Fungal species belonged to eight genera including Penicillium, Cladosporium, Candida, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rodotorula, Exophiala and Dematiaceous fungi. In this study, Aspergillus niger, the major cause of otomycosis, was not isolated. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the normal fungal otic infections in the presence of predisposing factors could be a potential cause for otomycosis