Microbiology of otitis media among children attending a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Otitis media has a worldwide prevalence. Though it is more common in children, the aetiologies and antibiogram varies with age, time and geographical location. A total of 220 children less than 18 years with signs and symptoms of otitis media were recruited for this study. Middle ear discharge were collected, processed and microbial isolates identified using standard microbiological techniques. Disc susceptibility tests were performed on bacterial isolates. Gender and age did not significantly affect the prevalence of otitis media pathogens (P = 0.8310 and P = 0.8272, respectively). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.33%) were the most prevalent microbial agent of otitis media followed by Staphylococcus aureus(23.19%) while Citrobacter species and Aspergillus niger were the least prevalent with a prevalence of 0.48% each. In relation to gender, P. aeruginosa were the most prevalent followed by S. aureus in males. In females, S. aureus (32.18%) predominated. Only S. aureus was significantly associated with female gender (odd ratio (OR) = 2.422 95% confidene interval (CI) = 1.261, 4.65, P = 0.0113). Tetracycline, erythromycin, cloxacillin and amoxicillin were poorly active against the bacterial isolates. Other antibacterial agents exhibited good activity against the bacterial isolates. In conclusion, an overall prevalence of 84.55% of culture-positive otitis media was observed in this study with P. aeruginosa as the predominant aetiologic agent. Though, the antibacterial agents exhibited good activities, prudent use of antibacterial agents are advocated. Key words: Otitis media, children, tertiary hospital, Benin City.