Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A 1-Year Cross-Sectional Study

Inadequate antibiotic treatment, misuse/improper choice of antibiotic and poor compliance of patients have resulted in changes in susceptibility to antibiotics of the causative organisms and also development of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Thus, this study aimed to identify the bacteriological profile and determine antibiotic susceptibility pattern in CSOM patients. This 1-year cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 clinically diagnosed cases of CSOM attending ear, nose, and throat outpatient department. Ear discharges obtained were processed for bacterial culture (aerobic and anaerobic). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Of total 120 cases, pathogens were isolated from 116 cases. The commonest aerobic organism isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.79%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (32.75%). Staphylococcus aureus showed maximum sensitivity to erythromycin (71.05%), followed by cotrimoxazole (63.15%) and ampicillin (55.26%). Maximum resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin (78.9%), followed by amoxiclave (55.26%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed maximum sensitivity to piperacillin (91.11%) followed by gentamicin (71.11%), amikacin (71.11%), moderate sensitivity to ceftazidime (51.11%); however resistance to carbpenicillin (60%). Ciprofloxacin was the most prescribed topical agent showing an increase in resistance to common organisms of CSOM. Hence, it is mandatory to study each case of CSOM bacteriologically to formulate local antibiotic policy for appropriate use of antibiotics. This will certainly help in achieving a safe ear and to control the organisms developing resistance to prevalent antibiotics.