Importance of bacteriology in ear infections.

Abstract

INFECTIONS of the ear are usually classified as infections of the external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear, in accordance with the scheme indicated in the following outline: External otitis {Circumscribed Acute Diffuse Chronic {Suppurative Eczemotoid Otitis media Acute {With effusion Suppurative Necrotic {Mucopurulent Bone necrosis Cholesteatoma Inner-Ear infections, or labyrinthitis We should like to classify these infections in a slightly different manner to emphasize the difference in bacteriological etiology. This etiology, in turn, has a great deal to do with the therapeutic approach to each individual problem. Bacteriologically, ear infections can be classified as: Infections arising via the Eutachian tubes Acute and chronic otitis media External otitis secondary to otitis media Labrynthitis secondary to otitis media Etiology: Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Staphylococcus, and so on Therapy: Penicillin, sulfonamides, aureomycin, oxytetracycline (Terramycin), chloramphenicol (chloromycetin), streptomycin (via blood stream) Infections arising via the Eustachian