Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas species isolated from ear specimens

Abstract

Background: Ear infections are common medical conditions caused by various microbes including viruses, bacteria and fungi. Empirical antibiotic therapy is the preferred method for treatment of ear infection. Without knowing the etiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern can increase antibiotic resistance. The aim was to find the prevalence of Pseudomonas species and its antibiotic susceptibility in ear specimens.

Methods: A total of 726 patients with discharging ears attending ear, nose, throat (ENT) outpatient clinic from December 2019 to December 2020 were collected in Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences and associated clinical laboratories, Muzaffarabad. Pseudomonas species were isolated and characterized by biochemical and microbial techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility was estimated through Kirby -Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results: Pseudomonas species were found in 13.3% (97/726) of the total samples tested. The prevalence of Pseudomonas was higher in adults (59/97=61%) as compared to children (38/97=39%). Moreover, the prevalence was higher in male (56/97=58%) than female (41/97=42%). Antibiotic sensitivity data revealed that Pseudomonas species were more sensitive towards Tazobactam (90.7%) followed by Imipenem (81.4%), Meropenem (76.2%), Amikacin (73.1%), Gentamycin (49.4%) and Tobramycin (37.1%). Sensitivity towards Ceftazidime, Cefepime, and Levofloxacin was found to be 31.9%, 24.7% and 21.6% respectively in isolates.

Conclusion: Pseudomonas prevalence in ear infections is substantial in the region and should be considered in the patients having a history of acute and chronic discharge. Antibiotic susceptibility should be considered for such bacteria instead of use of empirical antibiotics to reduce resistance and treatment failure.