MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA IN CHILDREN AGED 2 MONTHS TO 18 YEARS

Acute Suppurative Otitis media (ASOM) is one of the diseases that causedeath in children below the age of 5 years. The pathogens causing otitis media (OM) vary from region to region. Both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria are responsible for OM. So this study was conducted to know the aerobic bacterial pathogens causing OM and their susceptibility pattern in children below 18 years attending a rural tertiary health care center in north Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients in pediatric age group 2 months to 18 years clinically havingASOM, were included in the study. Ear discharge was collected using sterile cotton swabs and processed accordingly. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients aged 2 months to 18 years with discharging ears were included in the study. Among them, forty one (54.7%) were males and thirty four (45.3%) were females. Forty five children were below years. Sixty five (86.6%) had unilateral ear discharge. Among the 75 ear swabs cultured, 66 (88%) had aerobic bacteria isolated. S. aureus was themost common isolate accounting to 32(47%) followed by P. aeruoginosa 19(27.9%). It was observed that most of the Staphylococcus aureusisolates were resistant to penicillins and first generation cephalosporins while Pseudomonas aeruginosa to fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSION: Since there is reduced susceptibility of the pathogens isolated to first and second line antibacterials it is necessary to use these antibacterials judiciously and in the right dosage.