Invasive external otitis caused by Aspergillus.

Invasive external otitis occurs almost exclusively in patients with longstanding diabetes. Except for occasional cases, the etiologic agent has been Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We report a case caused by Aspergillus species in a diabetic patient with acute leukemia. Persistent infection was documented by culture and histology after a course of intravenous amphotericin B (total dose, 2 g). Clinical resolution occurred in association with a 3-month course of oral itraconazole. Four previously reported cases of invasive aspergillus otitis are reviewed.