Histopathologi̇c evaluation of ototoxi̇c si̇de effects of topically applied antifungal drugs

There is a lack of data regarding ototoxicity of topically applied antimycotics. In this study, the ototoxicity of tolnaftat, sulcanosole, bifonasole and nystatin was studied in 35 guinea pigs. Neomisin was applied as a positive control group. Drugs was injected into the right tympanic cavity, three times in a week. Left ears were evaluated as a negative control group. Animals were sacrified two weeks after treatment and the cochleas were examined under light microscopy and electron microscopy. The percentage of apoptotic cells in spiral limbus and spiral ganglion were determined by TUNEL method. The percentage of apoptotic cells were higher in ears which tolnaftat and bifonasole were applied, than in ears which sulconasole and nystatin were applied. This findings indicated that antimycotics might cause ototoxicity by apoptosis, this effect can be seen not only in organ of Corti but also in spiral limbus and spiral ganglion.