Microorganisms isolated from middle ear cultures and their antibacterial susceptibility in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media

Abstract This study sought to determine causative microorganisms of chronic suppurative otitis media and their antibacterial susceptibility. Bacteriologic results of middle ear swabs, agent microorganisms, and their susceptibility to antibiotics were evaluated in 70 patients (65 males, 5 females; mean age 21.1+/-1.3 years; range 19 to 25 years) with chronic suppurative otitis media. No bacteria were isolated in 14% of the patients. Of 60 patients in whom bacteria were isolated, the most common bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18%), and Proteus spp. (17%). P. aeruginosa strains were susceptible to ceftazidime and imipenem (100%), ciprofloxacin (92%), and amikacin and gentamycin (85%); S. aureus strains were susceptible to methicillin and vancomycin (100%), ciprofloxacin (91%), sulbactam-ampicillin (73%), and gentamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63%). Proteus strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin (100%), ceftazidime (90%), and imipenem and gentamycin (70%). Appropriate knowledge of antibacterial susceptibility of microorganisms will contribute to rational antibiotic usage and the success of treatment for chronic suppurative otitis media.