DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i08.021

Pages: 2847-2850

Ear Canal Infection (Otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of outer canal, the passage leading from the outer canal to the ear drum. Patients with Diabetes mellitus are more prone to ear infections and considered as one of the predisposing factor for Otitis externa. This is a prospective study done on patients attending a Private hospital. Samples from ear infections are collected and processed using Sabourads Dextrose Agar. Identified exactly by Slide Culture technique and by using Lactophenol Cotton blue stain. Out of 70 suspected cases of Mycotic Otitis externa, 58(82.8%) were positive for fungal culture. Most commonly isolated fungi in this study was Candida species (39.6%) followed by Aspergillus species (20.6%) and Rhizopus oryzae (20.6%). Candida albicans was most common than other species. The study showing highest incidence of fungal infection occurred in the rainy season, and the lowest incidence occurred in summer season. We conclude that fungal culture is beneficial for diagnosing otitis externa and early initiation of treatment. Even though Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients are less prone to ear infections when compared to other infections, diagnosing exact etiology plays a important role in treatment and beneficiary to patients with DM.