Bacteriology and antibiotic sensitivity of chronic suppurative otitis media in a government hospital

Background: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a disease well known for its persistence and recurrence, inspite of giving treatment. The microbiology cultures show the growth of a lot of organisms, frequently multiple and these differ based on patient population, climate, and whether or not antibiotics have been recently used. Objectives: To identify the commonest causative organism of CSOM in a government hospital of northern India and identify the sensitivity to antibiotics so as to achieve early dry ear for surgical intervention. Methodology: This study was done, from March 2018 to September 2018 on 100 patients with complaints of ear discharge. Pus samples were collected from the discharging ears, subjected to culture and sensitivity and the organisms isolated were identified by morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Results: Most common organism causing CSOM in our study Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most patients with Staphylococcus infection were sensitive to Vancomycin followed by Linezolid and Gentamycin whereas patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa were sensitive to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: Early and effective intervention using appropriate topical as well as systemic antibiotics can decrease the chronicity of CSOM and prevent long term complications.