Short Communication: Otitis externa in a tertiary care hospital in Zagazig, Egypt: Isolated pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent otitis externa is a worldwide problem. This study aims to identify the different aetiological organisms isolated from otitis externa and their sensitivity to different antibiotics.

Methods: A total of 27 patients with clinical presentation of otitis externa for a period of three weeks or more were enrolled for the study. Two swab samples collected from each infected ear were cultured for bacterial and fungi, and growth identified using standard microbiological methods including analytical profile index (API) system. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolated bacteria was performed by the disk diffusion technique.

Results: Thirty one organisms were isolated from the 27 patients; 12 (38.7%) fungi and 19 (61.3%) bacteria species. Aspergillus spp was the most frequently isolated organism (35.4%) while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated bacteria (19.3%), and was most sensitive to amikacin. Four of 11 patients with Aspergillus infection showed clinical resistance to econazole local treatment but had complete clinical response to itraconazole oral treatment.

Conclusion: Otitis externa in Egypt is caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria or fungi, and the most causative organisms are Aspergillus spp and Ps. aeruginosa.

Keywords: Otitis externa, antibiotic resistance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Egypt