MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA AND INVITRO ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the most common illness which requires medical attention. Knowledge of microorganisms commonly associated with CSOM and their drug susceptibility pattern will contribute to appropriate antibiotic usage and successful treatment. AIM: This study was aimed to determine the causative microorganisms of CSOM and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolated bacterial pathogens. Materials and Methods: Aural swabs were collected from one hundred (100) clinically diagnosed CSOM patients from Dec2011-nov2012.Samples were processed and identified by conventional methods and drug susceptibility testing was done by Kirby- Bauer’s disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Results: The most commonly isolated bacteria was Pseudomonas spp (43.2%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (31%). Out of 13 fungal isolates seven were identified as Candida spp followed by Aspergillus spp (5) and one Absidia spp. Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin were found to be the most effective drugs showing maximum sensitivity against all bacterial isolates. Conclusion: The study of microorganisms and the current drug sensitivity pattern helps the clinician to choose an appropriate treatment for patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.