title: Sensitivity and spectrum of bacterial isolates in infectious otitis externa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of organisms from aural swabs taken from cases of infectious otitis externa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, from May 2002 to April 2003.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-four patients, diagnosed clinically as infectious otitis externa without concomitant suppurative otitis media, perforated tympanic membrane or otomycosis, were selected for the study. Samples of pus from external auditory canal were taken on sterile cotton swabs and were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey Agar for 24 to 48 hours. Sensitivity was tested and interpreted by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method of grading zones of inhibition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty four subjects were cultured. Sixteen samples showed no growth. One hundred and eight specimens yielded growth of bacteria. No specimen revealed multiple organisms. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 38%, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in other 38%. Others included Proteus, Enterococci, Klebsiella, and E. coli. Majority of organisms were resistant to co-trimoxazole, amoxicillin and erythromycin, while 100% were sensitive to imipenem. Sensitivity to enoxacin was 96%, Ninety-two percent were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common bacterial isolates. Both were sensitive to fluoroquinolones. The latter can be used empirically for treatment of acute infectious otitis externa.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar. drchohaan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arshad
authors.forename: Nasir Ullah
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nadir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Nazar Muhammad
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Afridi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D024841:Fluoroquinolones