Prevalence of Fungal Infection in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media-A Study at Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Chronic otitis media (CSOM) is a notorious infection prevalent mostly in developing countries due to indiscriminate uses of local steroid and antibiotics in the ear either alone or combination. Humidity also plays a major contributing factor in the etiology of otitis media. Objective: To know the prevalence of fungal infection in chronic suppurative otitis media. Method: The study was conducted on 130 cases of recurrent discharging ear at the out patient door of Deptt of E.N.T and Dept. of Microbiology, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly. Results: Out of 130 cases, 34 were found fungal positive having the prevalence rate 26.15%. The side of involvement was more common in right ear (66.66%) than left. Males are affected more (58.82%) than females. Most of the fungal infections were associated with the use of local steroid and antibiotics (79.41%). Predominent fungal isolates were Aspergillus spp. (32.35%) followed by other saprophytic fungi (52.94%).   Key words: Chronic suppurative otitis media, Fungal infection, Steroid and antibiotics