Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates in children with otitis media in Zamfara, North-Western Nigeria

Otitis media has been reported as a common childhood disease and is associated with multiple microbial pathogens within the middle ear. Though the causative agents of this infection have largely remained the same over the years, current literature reviews show that the antibiotic susceptibility pattern has changed considerably. This study aimed to identify bacterial isolates and determine their antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns in children who had otitis media. This is a retrospective analysis of ear swab microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS) results of children between the age of 0 and 13 years who presented with clinical episodes of otitis media over a four year period. A total of 53 results were retrieved from the laboratory record book of which 43 were culture positive giving a yield of 84.9%. Males were 33 (62.3%) giving a M:F ratio of 1.7:1 and 71.7% were below the age of 5 years. Majority (68.9%) of the isolates were Gram positive organisms with Staphylococcus aureus being the commonest bacteria isolated (53.3%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.0%) and then Streptococcus pyogenes (13.3%). The isolates were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and gentamicin, while all were found to be resistant to tetracycline, cefixime and levofloxacin. S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes were the commonest bacterial isolates in the patients. Ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and gentamicin were the antibiotics with the highest bacterial susceptibility rate. Children with ear discharge were recommended to be investigated and treatment should be based on antimicrobial test to prevent resistance and probably complications.   Key words: Otitis media, bacterial isolates, antibiotic, susceptibility, resistance.