Aspergillus otomycosis in an immunocompromised patient

Ear Nose Throat J. 2008 Nov;87(11):622-3.

Abstract

Aspergillus niger, an opportunistic filamentous fungus, was identified as the cause of chronic unilateral otomycosis in a 55-year old, immunocompromised man who had been unresponsive to a variety of treatment regimens. The patient presented with intermittent otalgia and otorrhea and with a perforation of his left tympanic membrane. A niger was identified in a culture specimen obtained from the patient's left ear canal. In immunocompromised patients, it is important that the treatment of otomycosis be prompt and vigorous, to minimize the likelihood of hearing loss and invasive temporal bone infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillus niger / isolation & purification*
  • Clotrimazole / therapeutic use
  • Earache
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tympanic Membrane / microbiology*
  • Tympanic Membrane / pathology
  • Tympanic Membrane / surgery
  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation / diagnosis
  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation / microbiology*
  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation / pathology
  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation / surgery

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole
  • Clotrimazole