European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: One of the most common diagnoses presented to ENT OPDs around the world is an ear infection. It is a significant health issue in developing nations like India. It has a connection to avoidable hearing loss. It carries a higher chance of developing potentially severe long-term consequences. Knowing their etiological agents as well as their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern will therefore aid in determining the best course of treatment and helping to avoid problems. The current research attempted to study the microbiological profile of ear infections with antibiotic sensitivity patterns.
Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of n=60 cases were identified during the period of study. The ear discharge was collected using sterile swabs under aseptic precautions. Three samples were taken. One swab for Direct Gram Stain and KOH mount. The Second swab was for bacterial culture and the third swab was for fungal culture. The pus swabs from discharge-producing ears were collected using swab methods and cotton wool. Stained with gram stain and followed by culture on MacConkey agar, Blood agar, Mannitol Salt agar, and Chocolate agar, ear discharge samples were inoculated.
Results: The commonest organism isolated as P. aeruginosa in 36.36% of cases followed by S. aureus in 25.45% of cases. Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli were isolated in 5.45% cases each. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), K pneumoniae, were isolated in 3.63% of cases. The fungal isolates that predominate include Aspergillus niger 7.27% cases, followed by 1.81% of Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicalis, and Candida each.
Conclusion: According to this study, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most typical causes of ear infections. The regularly prescribed medications Gentamycin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, and Cotrimoxazole have been proven to be less effective against these pathogens. Ciprofloxacin was responsive to the majority of the isolates.