Comparison of Microbiological Flora in the External Auditory Canal of Normal Ear and an Ear with Acute Otitis Externa
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research - Year 2017, Vol 11, Issue 9
Abstract
Introduction: Acute Otitis Externa (AOE) is also known as swimmer’s ear. Investigations initiated during World War II firmly established the role of bacteria in the aetiology of Acute Otitis Externa. Aim: To culture the microbiological flora of the normal ear and compare it with the flora causing AOE and to know the role of normal ear canal flora and anaerobes in the aetiology. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 64 patients clinically diagnosed with unilateral AOE. Ear swabs were taken from both the ears. Microbiological flora was studied considering diseased ear as test ear and the normal ear as the control. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were done. Severity of the disease was assessed by subjective and objective scores. Effect of topical treatment with ichthammol glycerine pack was assessed after 48 hours and scores were calculated again. Patients with scores < 4 after pack removal were started on systemic antibiotics and were assessed after seven days of antibiotics course. Data was analysed using Paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%) was the most common bacteria cultured from the ear followed by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (18%). Patients with anaerobic organism in the test ear had severe symptoms and needed systemic antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Most of the cases may respond to empirical antibiotic therapy. In cases with severe symptoms and the ones refractory to empirical treatment, a culture from the ear canal will not be a tax on the patient. This helps in giving a better understanding about the disease, causative organisms and helps in avoiding the use of inappropriate antibiotics that usually result in developing resistant strains of bacteria.
Authors and Affiliations
Asheesh Dora Ghanpur, Dipak Ranjan Nayak, Kiran Chawla, V Shashidhar, Rohit Singh
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP362972
- DOI 10.7860/JCDR/2017/24983.10556
- Views 71
- Downloads 0
Assessment of Primary Solid Renal Mass using Texture Analysis of CT Images of Kidney by Active Contour Method: A Novel Methody
Introduction: The overall incidence of the renal masses is on the rise. With better imaging modalities more of these masses are picked up earlier. Most of the times, the diagnosis is confirmed after radical nephrectomy....
Statistical Comments on "Assessment of Musculoskeletal Strength and Levels of Fatigue During Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Young Adults"
Letter to Editor
Comparative Analysis of Body Fat Measurement Methods in School Children of Central India
ABSTRACT Introduction: Considering the prevalence of metabolic disorders, especially in south asian people, a rapid, economical, easy and reliable method of assessment of body fat for mass screening, is the need of the h...
Thyrolingual Trunk Arising from Common Carotid Artery- A Case Report
Superior Thyroid Artery (STA) usually arises from the ventral surface of the External Carotid Artery (ECA) just below the level of tip of greater cornu of hyoid bone and it runs anteriorly, downwards and medially. Lingua...
Clinical Study for Efficacy of Different Diagnostic Tools for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis
ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute Appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common causes of surgical abdominal pain and can be confused with other diseases due to atypical presentations of the disease. So, to aid in the diagnosis...