Pattern of pseudomonas aeruginosa infection among Northwestern Nigerians with chronic suppurative otitis media

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been particularly blamed for the deep-seated and progressive destruction of the middle ear and mastoid structure through its toxins and enzymes. Drug-resistant P. aeruginosa has been found to increase along with its frequency. Aim: This study aimed to assess the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of P. aeruginosa and the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin in chronically discharging ears. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 180 patients who were managed for chronic suppurative otitis media between January 2009 and December 2018. Results: Out of the 180 patients, majority 67 (37%) were in the age group 1–10 years, range of 1 month to 70 years with mean age of 18 years and standard deviation of ± 16.8 years and M: F of 1.5:1. Most have had ear discharge for more than 6 months and the majority 78 (43.4%) of the patients had bilateral disease. Central tympanic membrane perforation was the predominant finding, 81 (45.0%) with a complication rate of 21.1%. Abscess formation was the most common complication seen among the patients. P. aeruginosa was the most common bacterial isolate, 43 (23.9%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus, 39 (21.7%). In the pediatric population, P. aeruginosa was most sensitive to levofloxacin, as opposed to gentamicin in the adult population. Ciprofloxacin was seen to be more effective in adults than in children. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was seen more in the children than in adults. There was a significant association between gender and occurrence of the organism. Conclusion: P. aeruginosa is most sensitive to levofloxacin and gentamicin in the pediatric and adult population, respectively. Resistance to ciprofloxacin is most common among adults.