Evaluation of the Current Bacterial Pathogens and Antibiogram of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Adults

To determine the bacterial pathogens in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) & the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolates among patients. A total of 400 patients clinically diagnosed with CSOM were interviewed &middle-ear effusion samples were collected using sterile swabs. All bacterial isolates were identified by conventional microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30.25%) were the most prevalent bacteria isolated, followed by S. aureus (MSSA) (18.5%) & MRSA (8.25%). The most effective antibiotic for treatment of bacterial CSOM was amikacin & ciprofloxacin. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in bacterial infestations among CSOM patients & the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacterial isolates based on age (p > 0.05). The importance of a continuous & annual evaluation of bacteriological profile & antibiotic susceptibility patterns in CSOM patients is highlighted in our study.

Factors Associated with Otitis Media Among Pediatrics in Two Government Hospitals in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

Background

Bacterial otitis media (OM) is a common infection among the pediatric community worldwide and is the first reason for prescribing antibiotics in pediatric practices. However, if not promptly diagnosed and appropriately treated, it may persist and cause severe intra- and extra-cranial hard-to-cure complications. Hence, knowing the magnitude, etiology, and antibiotic susceptibility profile is very important for the proper management.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 312 pediatrics (1 to 18 years) attending the Ear Nose Throat outpatient departments of the two title hospitals from 25 February to 30th August 2022. Patients were chosen through a systematic random sampling method. Data were obtained by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Samples were collected to identify the causative bacteria as per microbiological guidelines. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done according to the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion; SPSS version 25 was used for the analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of otitis media was 67.3% (n=210); CSOM showed a slight preponderance (n=107) Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria were present in 59.8% (n=137) and 40.1% (n=92), respectively. Otitis media was predominantly caused by S. aureus (n=52, 56.5%), followed by Proteus spp. (n=33, 24%). Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to co-trimoxazole, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, piperacillin, and tetracycline, whereas their positive counterparts were considerably penicillin and co-trimoxazole resistant. Overall, 61.5 and 19.2% of the isolates were MDR and XDR, respectively. MRSA, MR-CoNs, and VRE were 38.4% (n=20), 17.1% (n=5), and 58.3% (n=12), respectively; 19.7% (n=25) of Gram-negative bacteria produced ESBL, and 7% (n=9) were carbapenem-resistant. History of exposure to loud noise [AOR=3.4; CI=1.14-10.23; P-value=0.028] and family history of smoking at home [AOR=2.9; CI=1.18-7.25; P-value=0.020] have the greatest odds of otitis media.

Conclusion

Overall, the prevalence of otitis media is showing an upward trend, and MDR among bacterial isolates is increasing alarmingly.

Mapping of audiometric analysis with microbiological findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM): a neglected clinical manifestation

Otitis media (OM) is an umbrella term for a number of conditions associated with middle ear inflammation. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), a type of OM, is characterized by long-term middle ear infection with perforated ear drum and otorrhea. The most common outcome associated with it is acquired hearing impairment in infected individuals which ultimately affects their cognitive and scholastic developments. Clinically, CSOM is thought to be a sequel of re-occurring episodes of Acute otitis media (AOM). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are found to be the predominant pathogenic isolates in these patients. However, with the emergence of antibiotic resistance amongst these pathogens, the adequate evaluation and treatment of this condition has become more problematic. The disease has also been recognized as one of the neglected tropical clinical manifestations with high prevalence in school-age children, especially in poor or underprivileged countries. Moreover, untreated cases have further worsened the situation by contributing to various life-threatening complications. Thus, effective treatment and surgical strategies, as well as strengthening of hearing care algorithms along with the discovery of novel animal models for advanced clinical research, can jointly help to fight this disease. In this regard, mapping of the audiological analysis with microbiological findings in CSOM patients may help elucidate the frequency that favors growth of specific pathogens. Knowledge about this potential correlation can then support timely detection of the infection, which is perceived as one of the emerging approaches for its management. In addition to these strategies, creating a true sense of awareness among people can also help mitigate this pathological condition by facilitating early identification, prevention, and treatment. This review discusses the incidence, pathogenesis, investigations, complications, and available treatment modalities associated with CSOM.

Microbiological Assessment of Chronic Otitis Media: Aerobic Culture Isolates and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns

As there are changing trends in the microbiology of chronic otitis media, this study was carried out to look for the current aerobic microbes and their antimicrobial susceptibilities in patients of chronic otitis media from north Indian region. A total of 322 patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied and aerobic ear swab culture was done under aseptic conditions. Gram staining was performed and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar. A total of 341 culture positive results were obtained from 322 patients. The culture results revealed 10 different aerobic microbes. Gram-positive floras were seen in 152 (44.57%), and Gram-negative in 189(55.43%) isolates. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate present in 131 samples (38.41%), followed by pseudomonas aeruginosa in 101 (29.62%) and proteus in 36 (10.56%). In overall susceptibility of antibiotics against Gram-positive culture isolates, Vancomycin was most effective (97.37%). For Gram-negative microbes, Piperacillin-Tazobactum combination was most effective with overall susceptibility of 79.37% susceptibility. Microbiological assessment of Chronic Otitis Media should be carried out in an area on regular intervals because of the changing patterns of bacteriology and their antimicrobial susceptibilities.

Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Otitis Media in Misan Governorate

This study examined 150 ear swab samples from patients with otitis media who consulted at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital from January to April 2021 in Misan, Iraq. The participants were aged 14–50 years, among which the infection rate was highest in participants aged 14–22 years and lowest in those aged 40–50 years. Subsequently, bacterial isolates were identified based on their morphology in various culture media and using biochemical tests. Six bacterial species were identified, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococcus aureus had the highest infection rate (30%), whereas Staphylococcus epidermidis had the lowest infection rate (8.55%). When the sensitivity of each isolate to antibiotics was determined, Escherichia coli was the most sensitive to trimethoprim (TMP), whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant to 75% of the tested antibiotics.

Prevalence and causes of paediatric hearing loss in a rural province of Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hearing loss (HL) in childhood is a significant disability with severe consequences for educational, cognitive, and social-emotional success. Nevertheless, prevalence estimates for HL in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are based on scarce data. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of HL in a sample of primary school children from a rural province of Zimbabwe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed on primary school children aged 4-13 years from a rural Zimbabwean province. In the quietest room available, participants underwent audiometry, video otoscopy, and tympanometry. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average > 25 dB. Risk factors of hearing loss were evaluated via a questionnaire. Furthermore, to enable comparison with similar studies, HL prevalence was calculated according to two other commonly used definitions.

RESULTS

A total of 451 pupils were included, of which 10.6% (95% CI 7.8-13.5) met the study criteria for HL. Conductive HL (95.1%) was nineteen times more prevalent than sensorineural HL (4.9%). Otitis media was the underlying cause in 40% of all cases of HL. The prevalence of clinically significant HL varied depending on the definition applied, i.e., 0.4% (95% CI -0.2-1.0) in the worst World Health Organisation category as opposed to 4.2% (95% CI 2.4-4.1) in the worst American Speech-Hearing Association category.

CONCLUSIONS

Hearing loss was common in this sample of primary school children from a rural province in Zimbabwe.

Evaluation of the current bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in chronic suppurative otitis media

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current microbiological profile of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), their antimicrobial sensitivity, their resistance pattern to locally available antibiotics and the appropriate antibiotic against isolated microorganisms causing CSOM.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 91 ear swab specimens obtained from patients clinically diagnosed with active CSOM. Swabs were cultured for microbial identification according to a standard protocol. We performed antibiotic susceptibility testing, using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the diameter of the inhibition zone was interpreted based Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

RESULTS

Microbial growth was seen in 85 (93.4%) samples, but 6 (6.6%) samples had no growth. Among the samples with growth, 63 (69.2%) were monomicrobial, 13 (14.3%) were polymicrobial, and 9 (9.9%) were of mixed growth with more than three microorganisms. The most common bacteria isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32.6%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.9%) and Klebsiella spp. (5.6%). The most sensitive antibiotics against P aeruginosa were ceftazidime, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, and cefepime. S aureus showed the highest sensitivity toward rifampin, cefoxitin, and fusidic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacteriological profile of CSOM showed a high prevalence of P aeruginosa, followed by S aureus and Klebsiella spp. with different distributions in different age groups. We observed a declining pattern of their antibiotic sensitivity. It is important to be aware of the current trend of the bacteriological profiles and to revise the antibiotic regime according to both the sensitivity and age groups.Level of Evidence: NA.

Bacteriological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media and Antibiotic Susceptibility in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVE

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is mostly caused by bacterial infection of the middle ear and antibiotics are generally used empirically, which may lead to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. The objective of the study is to assess the bacteriological profile of and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of strains isolated in a tertiary care hospital in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

This study included 289 individuals with clinical diagnosis of CSOM. Middle ear purulent discharge was obtained with sterile swabs and cultured for bacterial pathogens. The susceptibility of the isolated microorganisms to antibiotics was assessed by a microdilution method.

RESULTS

Bacterial pathogens were found in 223 (77.2%) of the 289 cases. A total of 236 strains were isolated. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest bacteria (44.9%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.9%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (8.5%). There were 18.9% methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) among the obtained S aureus organisms. Multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa was found in 4 patients, making up 10% of all detected P aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus showed highest susceptibility to vancomycin (100%), then gentamicin (98.1%) and rifampicin (97.2%) and was most resistant to penicillin (61.3%) and erythromycin (50%). All isolated P aeruginosa showed susceptibility to piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem. High degree of resistance in P aeruginosa was observed toward levofloxacin (42.5%), ciprofloxacin (40%), and ceftriaxone (30%).

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of MRSA and fluoroquinolone-resistant P aeruginosa indicated cephalosporins and fluoroquinolone as primary empirical antibiotic drugs in CSOM to be cautiously used. In order to reduce the incidence of resistant strains and promote effective usage of antibiotics, all aural discharges should be cultured to determine antibacterial susceptibility patterns before treatment.

The Role of Preoperative Computed Tomography of Temporal Bone in Atticotomy as a New Tool for Determining the Approach

The temporal bone is a complex anatomical structure and so preoperatively computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone is important for choice of the surgical procedure. In this study, evaluation of the surgical difficulty to conduct transmastoid atticotomy with the coronary cut of CT temporal bone. Additional, attic pathology intraoperative is evaluated. The current research is a retrospective study of 79 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (safe type) with the preoperative opacity of the attic in CT temporal bone. The researcher correlates difficulty to do transmastoid attictomy with the distance in mm between the roof of external audiatory canal (EAC) and tegmen with ruler directly in the coronary cut of CT temporal bone at the the level of internal auditory canal (IAC). The researcher also compares attic pathology intraoperative with preoperative CT attic opacity. In group of surgically difficulty average distance between the superior wall of EAC and tegmen on preoperative CT at the level of IAC is 2-5 mm while distance in easily surgical approach is from 6 to 10 mm. 68.4%(54/79) of cases had pathology in attic in the form of granulation tissue in 50 cases and glue in 4 cases. Preoperative CT temporal bone is very important to detect atticotomy approach either transmastoid or transcanal, through measuring the distance in mm between the roof of EAC and tegmen with ruler directly in the coronal cut of CT temporal bone at the level of internal auditory canal. The opacity of the attic in Preoperative CT does not mean that there is a pathology in the attic.

Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in chronic suppurative otitis media at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Objectives

This study aims to determine bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of chronic suppurative otitis media in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Result

Sixty-two ear swabs were collected and 74 bacterial isolates were identified, of which 48 (77.4%) sample with mono-microbial growth, 11 (17.8%) with polymicrobial growth and the remaining 3 (4.8%) show no growth. The most common isolates were Proteus mirabilis 16 (21.6%), followed by S. aureus 12 (16.2%), Klebsiella spp. 10 (13.5%) and Providencia spp. 11 (14.9%). Proteus mirabilis was 100% susceptible to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin while 87.5% of the isolates were susceptible to cefixime and gentamicin. S. aureus was 83.3% susceptible to gentamicin and clarithromycin, while 75% of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and chloramphenicol, however, 66.7% the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and erythromycin. The overall prevalence of multidrug resistance in the current study was 35 (47.3%). In this study P. mirabilis, S. aureus, Providencia spp., and Klebsiella spp. were the most common bacterial isolate and all Gram negative isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin and tobramycin were relatively effective against Gram positive bacteria.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4452-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity pattern in chronic suppurative otitis media of an Indian teaching hospital

Introduction

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common problem in worldwide and untreated CSOM leads to fatal complications like facial nerve paralysis, lateral sinus thrombosis, labyrinthitis, meningitis and brain abscess in developing country like India.

Objective

To isolate causative bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity pattern for CSOM and to know the prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and Metallobetalactamases (MBL) in CSOM patients.

Methods

A total of 500 ear swabs of clinical suspected CSOM patients were cultured on specific cultured medium and identified the bacteria with conventional methods. Then all the identified bacteria were subjected with specific antibiotics by the Kirby–Bauer's method to know the resistance pattern of antibiotics. ESBL and MBL strains were detected by double disc diffusion test.

Results

A total of 384 bacteria were isolated from 500 CSOM patients, among them 86 P. aeruginosa (22.40%), 112 Staphylococcus aureus (29.17%), 53 A. baumannii (13.80%), 32 E. aerogenes (18%), 26 C. freundii (6.77%), 24 K. oxytoca (6.25%), 23 P. vulgaris (5.99%), 18 K. pneumoniae (4.69%) and 10 P. mirabilis (2.60%) identified with conventional methods. From antibiotic disc diffusion methods 74.22% ESBL strains and 9.90% MBL strains were documented. Multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa (86/384,22.40%) were more prevalent than those of S. aureus (112/384,29.17%) and other bacteria in ear discharges. Imipenem and vancomicin could control to gram negative bacteria and gram positive bacteria respectively.

Conclusion

Continuous and periodic evaluation of microbiological profile and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of bacterial is essential for optimum management of CSOM patients.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from patients with ear discharge in Jimma Town, Southwest, Ethiopia

Background

Otitis media is among the leading causes of childhood illnesses although it can also affect the adults resulting in frequent physician visits, drug prescription and a key contributor to antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors, bacterial profile, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates from patients with discharging ears which clinically equates to draining otitis media in developing countries with limited medical resources such as otoscope.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 173 patients with draining otitis media. The ear discharge specimens were collected and analyzed by standard microbial techniques. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined for 19 different antibiotics by the standard disk diffusion method. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22 and the P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Among 173 otitis media patients participated in the study; majority, 102(63%) were pediatrics, out of which 72 (41.61%) were in the age group of less than 4 years. Ear infection was bilateral in 39 (22.54%) and chronic in 100 (57.8%) of the patients. Pathogens were isolated from 160 (92.5%) of the patients with a total of 179 isolates. The predominant isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (30.72%) followed by Proteus spp. (17.89%). The result of this study showed that adult age (p = 0.031), rural residence (p = 0.005), previous history of health care visit and treatment (p = 0.000), upper respiratory tract infection (p = 0.018) and presence of cigarette smoker in the house (p = 0.022) had statistically significant association with chronic otitis media. Most of the isolated bacteria showed high level of resistance to ampicillin/amoxicillin (88.3%), penicillin G (79.5%) followed by trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole (73.8%). Conversely, the majority of bacterial isolates showed moderate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (72.9%), gentamicin (70.4%), and amikacin (69.3%). Bacterial isolates identified in this study showed trend of multiple drug resistance, majority (67%) being resistant to three or more antimicrobials.

Conclusions

Majority of the bacterial isolates were multidrug resistant, hence, efforts to isolate microorganisms and determine the susceptibility pattern should be strengthened to improve the treatment outcome of otitis media instead of the usual trend of empirical treatment.

Isolation and antimicrobial drug susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens from pediatric patients with otitis media in selected health institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a prospective cross-sectional study

Background

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear and tympanic membrane, which often occurs after an acute upper respiratory tract infection. It is the most common episode of infection in children and the second most important cause of hearing loss affecting 1.23 billion people, thus ranked fifth global burden of disease with a higher incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the isolation rate of bacterial pathogens from pediatric patients with otitis media.

Methodology

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013–June 2014 in Addis Ababa among 210 pediatrics patients. Demographic, clinical and associated factors data was obtained in face to face interview with guardians/parents by 5 trained nurse data collectors using structured questionnaire. Middle ear drainage swab was collected following all aseptic procedures and transported to the microbiology laboratory. Culture and Antimicrobial sensitivity test were performed according to the standards. The data quality was assured by questionnaire translation, retranslation and pretesting. Reference strains were used as a positive and negative control for biochemical tests, and culture results were cross checked. Data was checked for completeness, consistency and then entered into Epi Info v3.5.1 and analyzed by SPSS v20. Data interpretation was made using graphs, tables, and result statements.

Result

A total of 196 middle ear drainage swab samples were analyzed from pediatric patients and of those 95 (48.5%) samples were positive for pathogenic organisms. The major isolate was S. aureus (15.8%) followed by P. aeruginosa (10.9%), Viridians streptococcus (9.9%), S. pneumoniae (8.9%) and S. pyogenes (7.9%). Upper respiratory tract infection history and living in the rural area have shown significant association with the isolation of pathogenic organism, (p-value = 0.035) and (p-value = 0.003) respectively. Most of the isolates show a high level of resistance to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, and Chloramphenicol.

Conclusion

S. aureus and P. aeruginosa are the most common pathogens that contribute to otitis media as well most of the isolates show a high level of resistance to commonly used drugs to treat otitis media. Therefore, culture and susceptibility testes have paramount importance for the better management of otitis media and drug-resistant infections.

Aerobic bacteria associated with chronic suppurative otitis media in Angola

Background

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is an important cause of hearing loss in children and constitutes a serious health problem globally with a strong association to resource-limited living conditions. Topical antibiotics combined with aural toilet is the first-hand treatment for CSOM but antimicrobial resistance and limited availability to antibiotics are obstacles in some areas. The goal of this study was to define aerobic pathogens associated with CSOM in Angola with the overall aim to provide a background for local treatment recommendations.

Methods

Samples from ear discharge and the nasopharynx were collected and cultured from 152 patients with ear discharge and perforation of the tympanic membrane. Identification of bacterial species was performed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and pneumococci were serotyped using multiplex polymerase chain reactions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done according to EUCAST.

Results

One hundred eighty-four samples from ear discharge and 151 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and yielded 534 and 289 individual isolates, respectively. In all patients, correspondence rate of isolates from 2 ears in patients with bilateral disease was 27.3% and 9.3% comparing isolates from the nasopharynx and ear discharge, respectively. Proteus spp. (14.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (8.8%) were dominating pathogens isolated from ear discharge. A large part of the remaining species belonged to Enterobacteriaceae (23.5%). Pneumococci and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in approximately 10% of nasopharyngeal samples. Resistance rates to quinolones exceeded 10% among Enterobacteriaceae and was 30.8% in S. aureus, whereas 6.3% of P. aeruginosa were resistant.

Conclusions

The infection of the middle ear in CSOM is highly polymicrobial, and isolates found in nasopharynx do not correspond well with those found in ear discharge. Pathogens associated with CSOM in Angola are dominated by gram-negatives including Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa, while gram-positive enterococci also are common. Based on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing topical quinolones would be the preferred antibiotic therapy of CSOM in Angola. Topical antiseptics such as aluminium acetate, acetic acid or boric acid, however, may be more feasible options due to a possibly emerging antimicrobial resistance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0422-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.