Evaluation of microbial infections of ear and their susceptibility pattern in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Nearly 0.065-0.33 billion people suffer from ear infections leading to loss of hearing in 60% of them. As the middle ear is in close proximity to the brain, infections can lead to intracranial complications. Inappropriate use of antibiotics in these situations can lead to multi drug resistant bacterial strains. Hence, the knowledge of commonest bacteria causing these infections along with its susceptibility pattern remains a key to unravel the void left in otological microbiome.: Aretrospective analysis of samples obtained from middle ear infections were analyzed for a period of 4 months (2019) at the Department of Microbiology, SRIHER using Hospital information system. The results of microbiological profile and their susceptibility pattern were tabulated and statistically analyzed.: Out of 325 samples enrolled, 302 samples grew pathogens(GPC:122,GNB:186, Fungi:17 & 23 of them grew more than 1 pathogen). The microbiological profile of 325 pathogens were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa 41.8%, Staphylococcus aureus 27.6%, CONS 7.6%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 4.6%, Proteus species 4.6%,Candida species 3.3%, Streptococcus species 2.2%,Escherichia coli 1.8%, Aspergillus species 1.8%, Acinetobacter species 1.2%, Enterobacter species 1.2%, Citrobacter species 0.9%, Morganella species 0.6%, Providencia species 0.3%. Multi-drug-resistant strains were seen in 17 of GNB 9.1%(n=186), predominantly in Pseudomonas species 8.8%(n=136). Methicillin resistance among the Staphylococcus species was 22%(n=115), predominantly in CONS 64%(n=25). Pan-drug resistance was not reported.Based on our study, a total of 43(13.2%) isolates were MDR strains, hence it is imperative to do a culture and sensitivity pattern of ear infections for efficacious management, thereby reducing further complications.