Champignons responsables des otomycoses : Isolement, identification et sensibilité aux produits naturels

Abstract

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external auditory canal frequently encountered in hot and humid regions. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the fungi responsible for otomycosis in Western Algeria and to evaluate their susceptibility to selected antifungal agents and natural products. A total of 52 ear samples were collected and analyzed, of which 38 were positive for fungal growth. Species belonging to the genus Aspergillus were the most frequently isolated, followed by yeasts of the genus Candida and species of Penicillium. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed a high efficacy of terbinafine against moulds and miconazole against yeasts. Among the natural products tested, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oils exhibited significant antifungal activity, whereas the hydroalcoholic extract of Ricinus communis showed no inhibitory effect. These findings confirm the predominance of Aspergillus and Candida species in otomycosis and highlight the potential use of certain essential oils as complementary alternatives to conventional antifungal therapies.