Smitha B.1, Swapna U.P.2, Salilkumar K.3 1,
BACKGROUND
Active mucosal chronic otitis media (COM) is a disease of the middle ear cleft
associated with inflammation and production of pus. The incidence is high in
developing countries. It affects all age groups and both genders. If not properly
treated, it can lead to complications. The bacterial isolates and their sensitivity
pattern vary from place to place and also over time. Early identification of the
microorganisms and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns helps in proper selection
of antibiotics and quick recovery in COM patients.
METHODS
Fifty patients with active mucosal COM were selected for the study. The study was
conducted over a period of one year. Ear swab from the deep external auditory
canal was collected under strict aseptic precautions from these patients before
starting antibiotic treatment. Microorganisms were identified by gram staining,
growth on different agar plates, and various biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity
was done by the Kirby-Bauer method.
RESULTS
Majority of the patients were in the age group of 21 - 40 years (42 %) with female
preponderance (62 %). All patients had a central perforation in the tympanic
membrane (100 %). Bacterial growth was seen in 44 samples (88 %). Two
samples (4 %) showed fungal growth. Four samples (8 %) showed no growth
even after 48 hours of incubation. Single bacterium was isolated in 41 cases (82
%) whereas 3 samples (6 %) showed more than one bacterial growth. The
predominant bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50 %) followed by
Staphylococcus aureus. The other isolates were coagulase negative staphylococci,
enterococci, enterobacter, acinetobacter, and E coli. Pseudomonas showed
maximum sensitivity to amikacin, imipenem and piperacillin / tazobactam (100 %).
The most effective antibiotics for staphylococcus was vancomycin and linezolid.
CONCLUSIONS
The most common bacteria isolated in active mucosal COM were pseudomonas
followed by Staphylococcus aureus. The most effective antibiotics for
pseudomonas was amikacin, imipenem and piperacillin / tazobactam.
Staphylococcus showed maximum sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid.
