Causative organisms in chronic suppurative otitis media and their drug sensitivity in a tertiary hospital of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Objective: To diagnose common organisms causing Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) and their in vitro sensitivity. Methodology: This descriptive study was carried out at Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Multan from July 2014 to June 2015. A total of 140 patients with active CSOM were included in this study. Ear swabs were collected from the discharging ear and sent for aerobic cultures only. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done with standard antibiotic discs using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Pathogens were isolated in all except 13 ears. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism isolated alone in 76 ears and in combination with other micro-organisms in 18 ears, followed by staphylococcus aureus in 23 and MRSA in four ears. Mixed organisms were found in 20 patients. Antibiotic sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that 100% isolates were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem while Staphylococcus aureus was 100% sensitive to Chloramphenicol. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus were commonest organism isolated in CSOM. Similar studies should periodically be conducted in various regions to have a current knowledge of the offending organisms and their sensitivity patterns against various antibiotics before commencing treatment of CSOM.