MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OFAURAL SWAB IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF NORTHERN INDIA

Background:Ear discharge is often linked with antibiotic prescription, hearing impairment, severe disability and is a public health threat in developing countries. Objective:This study is aimed at determining microbiological etiologic agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients of all age groups in DRPGMC, a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. Methods:Retrospective data recorded on culture and antimicrobial susceptibility profile were retrieved for analysis.Pus swabs from discharging ears collected and processed for aerobic bacterial and fungal cultures.Total of 81 aural pus swabs were received over a period of one year from August 2021 to July 2022 for culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results:Of total 81 aural swabscultures,68 showed growth of pathogenic microbes,5 of contaminants and 8 were sterile.Gram positive bacterial isolates were 35% and gram-negative bacteria were 60% while 5% fungal isolates were obtained.Predominant bacterial isolate obtained was Pseudomonas aeruginosa(41.25%) followed by Staphylococcusaureus(31.25%),Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.25%),Proteus spp.(3.75%) and CoNS(2.5%). In Fungal isolates two each were Aspergillus spp. and non albicans candida. Maximum samples were from age group 1-20 years (22.2%).Highest resistance was observed for Ciprofloxacin,Gentamycin, Ampicillin,Penicillin,cotrimoxazolewhile Amikacin,Imipenem,Piperacillin-tazobactam,ceftazidime was found effective against the isolated bacteria. Conclusion:Periodical monitoring of microbiological profile is essential for making effective empirical protocol for the cases of ear discharge in a particular geographical area and treatment to be guided by antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolates.