Microbiological Trends and Antibiotic Sensitivity in Chronic Otitis Media in a tertiary care Hospital, Dhaka

Background:: Chronic otitis media (COM) is a persistent ear infection characterized by the ongoing discharge of pus from the middle ear, often leading to hearing loss and other complications. The condition is commonly caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus being the predominant microorganisms identified in many cases. This study aims to examine the microbiological and antibiotic resistance profiles of COM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). The study was carried out from June 2023 to June 2024, in the Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25.0. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens, each accounting for 33.3% of isolates. The majority of patients had a single microbial isolate (70.9%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that gentamicin was the most effective topical antibiotic (82.6% sensitivity), followed by neomycin and chloramphenicol. Systemic antibiotics showed varied resistance, with P. aeruginosa being most sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam and S. aureus being fully sensitive to vancomycin. Coagulase-negative staphylococci showed significant resistance to oxacillin but remained sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as the predominant pathogens in chronic otitis media (COM), with concerning levels of antibiotic resistance. While gentamicin remains the most effective topical antibiotic, the rising resistance to commonly used systemic antibiotics necessitates culture-based treatment strategies. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2026; 32(1): 31-38