Original Research Indian Journal of Microbiology Research 2015;2(3):159-162 159 Prevalence of Fungal Infection in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media – A Study at Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh Arun Ghosh 1,* , Amit Rana 2 , Surendra Prasad 3 1 Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, 2 PG Student, 3 Professor, Dept. of ENT, Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospital, Bareilly *Corresponding Author: Email: dr.arun_ghosh@yahoo.com ABSTRACT 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 Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website: www.innovativepublication.com DOI: 10.5958/2394-5478.2015.00006.0 INTRODUCTION Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a disease of multiple etiology and well known for its recurrence and persistence. The wide spread use of irregular and irrational usage of antibiotics, systemic and local use of antibiotics in to ear has precipated the fungal infection secondary to bacterial infection. As a result the prevalence of fungal infection is high among the chronic otitis media patients. Infection may occur at any age groups with a peak at 2 years of age. Generally patients with tymphanic perforation which continue to discharge for periods from 6 week to 3 months are recognized as chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) cases [1] . Chronic suppurative otitis media is observed more frequently in the developing world with a prevalence rate ranging from 6-46% in different geographical areas and population [2] . Chronicity of ear discharge is important factor in the cause of fungal infection of otitis media. It causes humid condition in the ear and alters the pH to alkaline. epithelial debris which eventually helps the growth of fungus. Topical use of steroid and antibiotics cause the fungal infection in the middle ear [3,4] . Chronic suppurative otitis media is known to be one of the most common childhood infection and leading reasons for antibiotic prescription in the developed world [5] . It is estimated that about 90% of the people have atleast one episode of otitis media by their second birth day. Children less than 15 years old, frequently diagnosis made in clinical practice [6] . Patient with discharging ears, is world wide distribution in particular to hot, humid, dusty areas of the tropic and subtropic [7,8,9] .The recurrent episode of discharge occurs due to superimposed fungal infection in chronic suppurative otitis media patients [4] . Aspergillus spp.is common pathogen in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS This hospital based prospective study was carried out for a period of six months (July 2014 to Dec 2014) in the Department of Microbiology and ENT in a Tertiary care hospital, Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly UP. Total 130 patients clinically diagnosed chronic suppurative otitis media having discharging ear with past history of local use of antibiotics and steroid till 7 days before were taken in account. Two sterile cotton swab of ear discharge from each patient were collected aseptically and processed in Microbiology lab. 1 st swab was used for 10% KOH (potassium hydroxide) mount preparation under microscope to study the spores and hyphae. 2 nd swab was inoculated in sabaurod dextrose agar (SDA) with chloromphenicol (10micro gm) and kept at 22 0 c to 25 0 c for 2 weeks. Isolate was identified from colony morphology and microscopic examination with lactophenol cotton blue (LCB)