Human otoacariasis in a 40-year old Filipino male: A case report

ABSTRACT

@#A 40-year old male, Filipino, farmer, from Bakun, Benguet, presented with a 9 months history of itchiness of right ear. He reported that he was able to collect 4-5 insects every time he cleans his ear. Consult was done with an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist and video-otoscopic examination revealed multi pie animate foreign body (mites) at different stages of development. The patient underwent 5 sessions of ear flushing with warm water at intervals of 2 weeks for 3 months. Collected insects were referred to an entomologist and were identified as Suadasia pontifica Oudemans, belonging to family Acaridae. Follow up consult after 5 sessions of ear flushing revealed complete removal of mite infestation of his right ear. Patient was instructed to do ear flushing twice daily using warm water mixed with 70% isopropyl alcohol to eradicate any eggs left behind. No other medications were given. Based on Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Health Research and Development Information Network, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, this is the first reported case of human otoacariasis in the Philippines.