A Study of otitis media among children in Benghazi's children hospital

Abstract

Otitis media has a worldwide prevalence . Though it is more common in children, otitis media can result in severe complications like hearing impairment, death and severe disability due to central nervous system. This study was a survey to determine the microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) responsible for middle ear infection among 300 patients who had ear discharge and were visiting the children hospital in Benghazi city, during a period of 10 months (August 2016 to May 2017). The patients were aged between one month to twelve years. The highest incidence of infection (55.3%) was observed in the children aged between <1-2years. The infections were higher during the winter and Autumn months. A total of 293 positive cultures representing 7 bacteria species were identified and their susceptibility to various antibiotics was tested Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant (18.7%) pathogen isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.3%), Proteus mirabilis (10%), Streptococcus peneumoniae (7.3%), Klebsiella penumoniae (6%), Escherichia coli (5.7%), and Streptococcus pyogenes (5%).