Abstract :
Introduction: Ear discharge is a common clinical problem presented by patients in the ENT set up. It can be seen in a variety of infectious conditions like otitis externa, otomycosis, and otitis media. It is notorious for its persistence and recurrence despite treatment. It's importance lies in its refractoriness to treatment and chronicity. Thus the need to study the detailed bacteriological profile and resistance patterns of commonly used antibiotics to prevent their injudicious use, thus lowering antibiotic resistance and recurrence. The study aimed to isolate, identify and speciate the bacteria isolated from the patients presenting with ear discharge and to study the antimicrobial resistance of bacterial isolates.
Material and Methods: The study included 180 consecutive patients with ear discharge attending the ENT OPD. A proforma was maintained containing demographic and clinical details. Criteria for inclusion was any patient presenting with ear discharge whereas patients on antibiotics for more than seven days were excluded. Ear swabs were obtained and processed and bacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns were studied in detail.
Results: Ear discharge has a diverse bacteriological pattern being prevalent in younger population and more commonly associated with poverty with male predominance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis were among the commoner bacteriological agents isolated. Maximum resistance was found to Penicillin-G and Ampicillin.
Conclusion: It is emphasized that early diagnosis and proper antimicrobial treatment in addition to the patient education is mandatory to avoid complications and in decreasing morbidity and mortality.
Keyword :
Ear discharge, Bacteriological profile, Antibiotic resistance