title: Aetiological agents of ear discharge: a two year review in a teaching hospital in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The discharging ear is a common presentation in medical practice affecting all age groups but primarily children. This study shows the current aetiological causes of ear discharge and their antibiograms, data which would guide empirical treatment of ear infections, and also form a basis for further research.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of laboratory records of all ear swabs submitted for culture over a two year period in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Accra, Ghana. Data was obtained on demographic characteristics of patients, clinical diagnosis, isolated organisms and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolated organisms. Data was analyzed by simple descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 351 ear swabs were received by the laboratory for processing over the two year period. Of these 277(78.9%) had microorganisms isolated. A significant number127 (47%) was obtained from children under five years. Pseudomonas spp was the commonly isolated organism 121(46%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 33(12.5%) and Proteus spp 32(12.2%). Candida was the commonest isolated fungi 9 (69.2%). Susceptibility of Pseudomonas spp to commonly used ototopics (ciprofloxacin & gentamicin) was 93% and 74% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cases of the discharging ear were found in children under the age of five years. The most common bacteriologic cause of the discharging ear was Pseudomonas spp followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Candida species was the commonest fungal cause of ear discharge. Ciprofloxacin and gentamicin are effective ototopic antimicrobial agents for empirical treatment of the discharging ear.
authors: Department of Microbiology Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Appiah-Korang
authors: Department of Microbiology Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Asare-Gyasi
authors: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana.
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Yawson
authors: ENT Department Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Searyoh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001826:Body Fluids; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010031:Otitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ear discharge; Korle-Bu teaching hospital; antimicrobial agents; ototopics; susceptibility