Bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media in congolese children.

Aim: The study intended to identify bacteria active in the chronic suppurative otitis media and to determine their sensitivity to current antibiotics.

Methods: After clinical evaluation, middle-ear secretions were taken for bacteriological examination from 78 children meeting the inclusion criteria. All children with cholesteatoma and those with tumors occluding the ear canal were excluded.

Results: The most frequent isolated germs, in descending order frequency, were as follows: Proteus mirabilis (23%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Citrobacter (20%) and Salmonella (5%). There were no cases of mixed flora. Ofloxacin was susceptible on all isolates. Neomycin, gentamicin and polymyxin B were susceptible on 96%, 83% and 67% of the isolates respectively. All isolates were resistant to amoxycillin.

Conclusion: Peudomonas, Proteus and Citrobacter are the most common causes of chronic otitis media among children in our community of congolese children. Ofloxacin and neomycin are the most highly effective against most of the isolated germs, and are therefore recommended as the first line local treatment. Amoxycillin and chloramphenicol should be avoided.