Pattern of bacterial and fungal infection in ear infection in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Ear discharge is a frequent complaint in ENT clinics. Worldwide, 65-330 million people suffer from ear infection, with 60% having hearing loss. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger are commonly isolated from these species. This study will provide data regarding the aerobic bacterial and fungal profile of ear infection to assist physicians in empirical therapy and setting therapeutic protocols
Materials and Methods: A total of 360 patients were enrolled in the study and the samples were obtained from each patient using sterile cotton swabs and processed for isolation of bacterial and fungal organisms. antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: 275 specimens (76.38%) had pure single bacterial or fungal growth, 85 (23.61%) no growth. Of 275 isolates, 224 (81.45%) were bacteria and 51 (18.54%) were fungi. The most common microorganisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.54%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24.72%), Proteus mirabilis (12%) and Candida species (9.45%).Antibiotic used for the susceptibility testing of Gram positive bacteria; Penicillin, Clindamycin and Gentamicin had the highest susceptibility rate. Regarding Gram negative bacteria the highest susceptibility rate was for Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin and Piperacillin/tazobactam.
Conclusion: The types of bacteria causing ear infections varies in different geographical areas and the antimicrobial resistance profile also varies accordingly, due to the local antimicrobial prescribing practices and the prevalence of resistant bacterial strains in that area. So, antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be done for all isolates to help in the choice of drugs for treatment.