A Study On The Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Introduction:  CSOM is often associated with recurrent infections, leading to permanent damage to the ear structures. While the pathogenesis of CSOM is complex and multifactorial, bacterial infections play a major role, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerging as one of the most frequent pathogens responsible for this condition Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and to evaluate the antibiotic resistance patterns of these isolates, with a specific focus on imipenem resistance. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with CSOM at a tertiary care hospital. Ear swab samples were collected and cultured for bacterial isolation. The isolates were identified, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method to assess resistance, especially to imipenem. Results: Out of the 60 CSOM-positive cases, 44% were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The majority of isolates were Gram-negative bacteria (78%), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most prevalent. Of the 26 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 42.3% showed resistance to imipenem. Other significant pathogens included Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli. Resistance to multiple antibiotics, including imipenem, was observed, underscoring the challenge of treating CSOM infections effectively. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant pathogen in CSOM, with a high rate of imipenem resistance. The study highlights the importance of regular bacterial cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing for the proper management of CSOM and the need for strict antibiotic stewardship programs to combat resistance.