THE MICROBIAL CAUSES OF EXTERNAL EAR INFECTION

Abstract

The study was conducted during the period from January, 2002 to August 2002 at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital and E.N.T Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, so as to study the causes of otitis externa and Laboratory tests which was done. A total of 148 swabs from 130 patients with external ear discharge examined by direct microscopy, of wet preparation with 20% KOH, Gram stained smear and culture technique. The commonest causes of external ear discharge were the bacterial infections (78.0%) with the Proteus species (18 %), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staph aureus (17%) for each. Otomycosis with Aspergillus niger (14.3%), with Candida albicans (5.7%) with Aspergillus terreus 2.0%. The commonest symptoms and signs associated with otitis externa were ear ache, ear itching and diminished hearing according to the causative organism. The isolates of Proteus species were 89% sensitive to Gentamicin, 83% sensitive to Ceftriaxone, 81% sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, 78% sensitive to Augmentin but less sensitive to Erythromycin and Penicillin (sensitivity 34% and 9% respectively. The isolates of staphylococcus aureus were 100% resistant to penicillin, 91% sensitive to Augmentin, 85% Sensitive to Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be resistant to most antibiotics except Meropenem sensitivity 100%.), Amikacin, sensitivity (95%), Ceftazidime and Gentamicin sensitivity (91%). The streptococcus group (Beta haemolytic strepto-occi group A and Strepto-coccus pneumoniae were 100% sensitive to Penicillin.