Microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of cases of chronic suppurative otitis media in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity that presents as ear discharge. If untreated it can lead to various intracranial and extra cranial complications. This prospective study was carried out to find out various agents causing chronic suppurative otitis media and do determine the antibiogram. A total of 170 patients presenting with ear discharge were included in this study.  Specimen processing, organism isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility were performed as per standard protocols. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism isolated followed by Staphylococcus aureus , coagulase negative staphylococci, Klebsiella, Proteus, Aspergillus and Candida . Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates showed a variable pattern. Of the most common antibiotics available as topical preparations, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were highly effective against study isolates. Empirical therapy followed by definitive treatment can help prevent emergence of resistance to various antimicrobial agents in these cases.