Antibiotic resistance in causative agents of ear discharge: A deafening problem

Discharge from the ear is common, the management of which is complicated by rising antimicrobial resistance. Ear discharge samples received at the microbiology laboratory in Al Azhar Medical College from June 2018 to May 2019 were processed, and organisms identified and susceptibility tested. The predominant organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24/53, 45.28%). The susceptibility of these isolates to fluoroquinolones (91.67%) and aminoglycosides (95.83%) was good. Eleven isolates were Gram positive, with 8 Staphylococcus aureus and 3 coagulase negative Staphylococcus. Five isolates were MRSA (62.5%). Susceptibility to ampicillin (27.27%), amoxiclav (36.36%), 3 rd generation cephalosporins (54.55%), azithromycin (54.55%), and fluoroquinolones (45.45%) was disappointing. Cotrimoxazole susceptibility was 72.73%. Seven isolates were Enterobacterales. Susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxiclav, cefuroxime and macrolides (each 14.29%) was alarming. Ceftriaxone and cotrimoxazole showed susceptibility of 57.14%. Fluoroquinolone susceptibility (71.43%) was also poor. Antimicrobial therapy based on microbiological evidence is essential for the management in the face of high antibiotic resistance.