Clinical characterisation & microbiological profile of otological infections

Abstract

Otitis externa & otitis media are notorious ear infections and a major health problem in developing countries causing serious local damage and threatening complications. Early and effective treatment based on the knowledge of causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial sensitivity can ensure prompt clinical recovery and possible complications can thus be avoided.To identify & characterize the microorganisms causing otological infections & to correlate the findings with the clinical profile of patients. Clinically suspected cases of otological infections were enrolled in the study and the ear discharge was obtained using two separate pre‑sterilized swabs. They were processed for aerobic culture and sensitivity. Drug susceptibility testing was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.Among 126 otological cases enrolled, mostly were males. Most affected age group was 51-60 years, Ear discharge, ear pain and feeling of fullness were the commonest presenting symptoms. Clinically 65% were classified into otitis media and 35% into otitis externa. Unsafe Chronic suppurative otitis media was the commonest type. Most common bacterial isolate on culture was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47.1%). Gram positive bacteria were predominant isolates in otitis externa, while Gram negative bacteria were more common in Otitis media. Antimicrobial profile of Gram negative isolates revealed maximum sensitivity to piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactum, imipenam and ciprofloxacin. All Gram positive isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin & linezolid. Continuous and periodic evaluation of microbiological pattern and antibiotic sensitivity of isolates is necessary to decrease the potential risk of complications by early institution of appropriate treatment.