Microbiology of chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVE

To report the result of causative organisms in chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma.

METHODS

Eighty eight patients clinically diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma, and confirmed intra-operatively and by histological examination were pre-operatively studied for the causative bacteria and fungi.

RESULTS

A single isolate was obtained in 42 (48%) cases, no growth was isolated in 11 (12.5%) cases. Most common bacteria isolated were, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 51%, Staphylococcus aureus in 31%, and Proteus species in 17%. Among the 15 fungal isolates, 9 (10%) were Aspergillus species and the remaining 6 (7%) were Candida albicans.

CONCLUSION

Conventional ear swabs taken under direct vision using an operating microscope are reliable in establishing the microbiological profile of chronic suppurative otitis media.