Bacteriological profile in chronic suppurative otitis media in Eastern Nepal

Aural swabs were collected from 250 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (tubotympanic disease). Duration of ear discharge was more than 6 months for culture and sensitivity test. The disease was unilateral in 178 (71.2%) and bilateral in 72 (28.8%) patients. From a total of 322 aural swab cultures, 324 organisms were isolated with predominance of Pseudomonas aerugimosa (36.4%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (30.2%). All the isolated Gram-negative organisms showed in vitro sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, of loxacin, and gentamycin whereas cloxacillin, of loxacin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline were more effective against Gram-positive isolates. Most isolates were resistant to amoxycillin. It is concluded that ciprofloxacin is preferred to aminoglycosides as an important tool in the treatment of CSOM because of its lower cost, lack of ototoxicity and availability as topical oral preparations.