Burden of Otorrhea: Microbial Profile with AntimicrobialSusceptibility of A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Authors

  • Nidhi Kaushik
  • Dalip K Kakru
  • Zarine Khan
  • Prerna Sharma

Keywords:

Otorrhea, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Antibiotic Susceptibility, CLSI guidelines, MRSA

Abstract

Introduction: Otorrheais a prevalent clinical symptom associated with various forms of ear infections, particularly in developing countries such as India. These infections are a significant cause of morbidity, leading to complications such as hearing loss, especially among children. The microbial etiology of otorrhea is diverse, encompassing bacteria, fungi, and viruses, with the antimicrobial susceptibility of these pathogens evolving due to changes in antibiotic use patterns.

Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find the burden of otorrhea and its microbial profile with antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

Materials and Methods: This Observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at Central Laboratory, Sharda Hospital, on all the aural discharge(swab) samples received in the bacteriology unit. The Culture preparation and bacterial identification were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method as per the CLSI guidelines 2024guidelines.

Results: A total of 291 patients presenting with aural discharge were included in the study. Of the 291 ear swab samples processed, microbial growth was observed in 222 samples (76.28%), while 69 samples (23.71%) showed no growth. Among the positive cultures, Staphylococcus aureus (33.78%) was the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogen, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.82%). Analysis of the antibacterial susceptibility patterns revealed that 22.07% of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Staphylococcus aureus isolates demonstrated a high level of resistance to Penicillin G, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed notable resistance to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins.

Conclusion: The study underscores the evolving microbial profile and antibiotic resistance in aural discharge. Regular surveillance and prudent antibiotic use are crucial for effective management and resistance control, thereby supporting improved clinical outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship in otorrhea.

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Published

2025-07-10

How to Cite

1.
Kaushik N, K Kakru D, Khan Z, Sharma P. Burden of Otorrhea: Microbial Profile with AntimicrobialSusceptibility of A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025Jul.10 [cited 2025Oct.14];14(32S):4699-706. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/8184

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 32S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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