The Bacteriology of Discharging Ear (Otitis Media) Amongst Children in Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria

The prevalence of causative agents of acute otitis media amongst children in some parts of Owerri, Imo State - Nigeria was investigated, between the months of September and December, 2012 using standard microbiological methods. One hundred and fifty two swabs from ear discharge were collected from children under 12 years of age. The results revealed that 128 (84.2%) were positive for bacterial growth while 24 (15.8%) had no growth. The predominant organisms isolated included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (37.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.4%), Proteus species (12.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.8%), Escherichia coli (7.8%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (7.8%). Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that all the isolates were multiresistant to six or more of the tested antibiotics while the most prevalent organisms were susceptible to gentamycin, chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis were susceptible to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. All the isolates were resistant to amoxicilline/clavulanate spectinomycin and ofloxacin (except Staphylococcus aureus). Therefore, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, cotrimoxazole ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, are suggested as topical treatment in the management of acute otitis media and good personal hygiene is also encouraged.