Incidence and microbial profile of chronic suppurative otitis media at Gulbarga, Karnataka

Abstract

Objective: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a prevailing and notorious infection in developing countries causing serious local damage and threatening complications. Early and effective treatment based on the knowledge of causing micro organisms and their sensitivity results in good clinical recovery and prevents from damage and complications. The study intended to identify the incidence of bacterial infection in the CSOM and to determine their sensitivity to current antibiotics. Methods: After clinical evaluation, middle ear secretion was taken for bacteriological examination from 250 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. All children with cholesteatoma and those with tumors occluding the (ear) canal were excluded. The samples were processed as per the standard microbiological techniques. Results: A total of 272 bacterial agents were isolated from 250 patients aged between 8 months and 65 years. 220 samples yielded pure growth and 22 were mixed, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.7%) was the commonest isolate followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Among anaerobic bacteria, Bacteriodes was the predominate bacteria isolated. Most of the isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. ESBL evaluation revealed that 20.4 % of gram negative bacteria were extended beta lactamase producers. 63.4% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 20.3% of Klebsiella pneumoniae were the predominate organisms resistant to 3 GC. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria isolated from chronic discharging ears followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Amikacin was found to be the most suitable drug followed by ceftazidime for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The high rate of multiple drug resistance for frequently used antibiotics raises serious concern.