Lamisil, a potent alternative antifungal drug for otomycosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Otomycosis is an acute, subacute or chronic fungal infection of the pinna, the external auditory meatus and the ear canal caused mainly by several species of saprophytic fungi. Lamisil (Terbinafine) is an allylamine antifungal agent, that is used both in the topical and oral administration for the treatment of dermatophytosis, cutaneous candidiasis, and the pityriasis versicolor. We investigated the activity of clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, and Lamisil against the agents of otomycosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen clinically obtained isolates from otomycosis ( species; n=13, and species, n=2) and 8 environmental isolates of were tested. The disk diffusion method was employed to detect susceptibility. In the present study, the activity of the terbinafine with clotrimazole, miconazole, and nystatin against several isolates of and with different sources were compared.

RESULTS

Out of 23 isolates of , 4(17.4%) and 1(4.4%) were resistant to nystatin and miconazole, respectively. In addition, all tested organisms were sensitive to clotrimazole and terbinafine. Statistical analysis has shown that there are no significant differences on the effects of clotrimazole, miconazole and, terbinafine on saprophytic (environmental) and pathogenic isolates of , , and (P value= 0.85). In addition, all tested organisms were found to be highly susceptible to terbinafine (P< 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This is a new approach for the possible use of Lamisil for the treatment of otomycosis