Unveiling the hidden culprits: exploring fungal infections and risk factors in chronic suppurative inflammation of the middle ear
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence, distribution of fungal species, antifungal susceptibility, and risk factors associated with fungal infections in chronic suppurative inflammation of the middle ear across different age groups. A total of 150 cases were included in the study, comprising pediatric, adult, and elderly populations. The prevalence of fungal infections varied among the age groups, with the highest prevalence observed in the elderly population (48.0%), followed by pediatric patients (33.3%) and adult patients (26.7%). Aspergillus and Candida were the most prevalent fungal species across all age groups, while other species, such as Cryptococcus, Fusarium, and Rhizopus, showed varying prevalence levels. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that Amphotericin B exhibited the highest efficacy (80%), followed by Voriconazole (70%) and Fluconazole (60%). However, a certain percentage of isolates showed intermediate susceptibility or resistance to these agents. An analysis of risk factors indicated that diabetes and previous antibiotic usage were significantly associated with fungal infections, while HIV infection and occupational factors did not show significant associations. These findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence, distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and risk factors of fungal infections in chronic suppurative inflammation of the middle ear, guiding clinicians in understanding the susceptibility of different age groups and facilitating the development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.