Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: A retrospective analysis of fungal components in chronic otitis media using a potassium hydroxide mount. Methods: After receiving clearance from the protocol review committee and the institutional ethics committee, this retrospective research was carried out at the Department of ENT. Following informed permission, a comprehensive history was obtained from the patient or family. Total 100 Patients with chronic otitis media who had not used ear drops in the previous week were included in the study. Ear discharge was obtained from the middle ear and deposited in a clean container before being submitted to the microbiology laboratory for culture and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount, respectively. Results: Overall prevalence rate KOH positivity was found to be 19%. Our study showed that among 100 patients of either sex between age group 11 months to 75 years diagnosed with COM, 19 (19%) patients showed KOH positivity which is clinically and statistically found to be significant and probability of KOH positive in future will be in between 9.7-20.5%. In our study, Pseudomonas was found to be common bacteria among 100 samples and 45 samples were showing no growth and 10 out of 45 samples were showing positive for KOH mount. Most common fungal pathogen was found to be Aspergillus. Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with COM, submit ear discharge for both culture and sensitivity and KOH mount and it should be routine and always consider combination treatment i.e., antibiotic and antifungal medicines.