Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common in the children. It is proven that pathogenic bacteria as a causative agent of middle ear effusion, however the role of fungal infection in otitis media with effusion remains unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess presence of fungi in OME.

Methods: From January 2005 to September 2006, a number of 62 children with proven otitis media with effusion subjected to the case series study at Amiralmomenin Hospital in Rasht City, Iran. After myringotomy, middle ear effusion was collected. In 48 patients, both ears demonstrated effusion, whereas in 14 patients, only one ear had effusion. Standard mycological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were performed in 110 and 79 samples, respectively.

Results: The growth of fungi was observed in 9 samples (8.8%). The result of our PCR assay showed that 23 samples (29.1%) were positive for fungal DNA.

Conclusion: Middle ear effusion from cases with OME contains fungi and it might play a role in the pathogens of OME. PCR assay is a better indicator in detection of fungus in middle ear effusion, compared with fungal culturing method. However, the estimation of its sensitivity and specificity in detection of fungal agents in these patients needs more molecular epidemiological studies.