Microbiology of Otitis Media among Children Attending Clinics within Sokoto Metropolis

Abstract

Otitis media is the most common source of earaches in children of lower socio-economic background. Although this condition is a frequent cause of infant distress and is often associated with children, it can also affect adults. Diseases of the middle ear account for approximately one third of visits to paediatricians in this region. This research study was carried out in other to determine the prevalence of otitis media and the local aetiological agents of otitis media among children attending clinics within hospitals in Sokoto metropolis. A total of 403 clinical patients who were referred to ENT — Otorhinolaryngology Clinic ranging from babies to children aged below l4 years old of both gender was analyzed for causative agents of middle ear inflammation, and susceptibility pattern of the isolates. The samples collected on sterile swab sticks were inoculated onto prepared dried plates in duplicates and incubated for 18-24 hours aerobically and anaerobically respectively. The cultures were identified according to their morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics. A total of eight different bacteria and two fungi were isolated and their distributions are as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (27.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (I 4.6%), Proteus species (10.7%), Escherichia coli (7.8%), Streptococcus pneumornae (4.9%), Haemophilus influenzae (2.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.0°/o), Streptococcus pyogenes (1.0%), Candida albicans (3.9%) and Aspergillus species (2.9%). Children 7 years and below were the most susceptible age group to bacterial otitis media. Ciprofloxacin was found to be the most active antibiotic against the various bacteria, followed by Ofloxacin and Augmentin. The high prevalence of otitis media among children may be due to the inability of the children to take proper care of themselves, or their being left with maids who are not thorough. An additional consideration in selecting antimicrobial drugs should include considerations of age of the patient, associated illness, history of otitis media, history of antimicrobial drugs and community susceptibility patterns. Therefore continued surveillance and investigation of other oral agents for the treatment of otitis media in the community is required.