Chronic suppurative otitis media and microbial flora: Adult versus pediatric population

Context: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear which manifests as recurrent episodes of ear discharge. Due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics, the microbiological profile and the drug sensitivity pattern is changing, leading to either inadequate treatment or recurrence. Hence, there is a need to study the microbial profile and its sensitivity pattern in order to initiate the appropriate treatment. Aim: The study has been done to evaluate the microbiological profile of ear discharge in patients of CSOM and also to assess any difference in the microbiology in the adult and pediatric population. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional record-based study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in North India on patients diagnosed to have tubotympanic type of CSOM. Materials and Methods: The study duration was 12 months. Sterile swabs were collected from the study individuals. The organisms were isolated using the standard microbiological methods and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using diffusion method. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used. Appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were applied to assess the association between various variables. Results: Amongst children, the most common isolate was Staphylococcus aureus and this was followed by Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among adults, the most common organism was P. aeruginosa and this was followed by S. aureus. Conclusion: Age, environmental, and geographical conditions of an individual affect the microbiological profile. Antibiotic therapy administered in accordance to the sensitivity pattern achieves best result.