A case of necrotizing otitis externa caused by Saksenaea vasiformis: first report from India

Otitis due to mucorales is very rare. Saksenaea causing mucormycosis is even more uncommon. Till date, there have been only two reports of otitis due to S. vasiformis globally. Herein, we report a case of necrotizing otitis externa in a 75-year-old diabetic woman complicated with facial nerve palsy due to a non sporulating mucorales which was identified as S. vasiformis using D1D2 sequencing. Despite initiation of antifungal therapy, her clinical condition deteriorated, likely reflecting delayed diagnosis and partially optimized treatment. To the best of knowledge this is the first case of necrotizing otitis externa due to S. vasiformis from India.