Aspergillus spp. invasive external otitis: favourable outcome with a medical approach

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2016 May;22(5):434-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.12.027. Epub 2016 Jan 21.

Abstract

Aspergillus spp. invasive external otitis (IEO) is a rare infection. We performed a seven-year, single-centre retrospective study from 2007 to 2014 including all patients with proven Aspergillus spp. IEO. Twelve patients were identified. All patients had a poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and one underwent solid organ transplant. The most frequently isolated species was Aspergillus flavus (n = 10) and voriconazole was the first-line therapy in all cases, with a median length of treatment of 338.5 days (158-804 days). None of the patients underwent extensive surgery. The clinical outcome was excellent. However, otological sequelae were reported, including hearing impairment (n = 7) and facial palsy (n = 3).

Keywords: Aspergillus spp.; diabetes mellitus; invasive; otitis; voriconazole.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / pathology*
  • Aspergillus / classification
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification*
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis / pathology*
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Otitis Externa / diagnosis*
  • Otitis Externa / drug therapy
  • Otitis Externa / microbiology
  • Otitis Externa / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Voriconazole / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Voriconazole