Background: Ear discharge is one of the commonest symptoms of ear infection others being progressive deafness, pain, tinnitus and vertigo. Objective of this study is to study the microbial aetiology of otorrhoea with antibiotic sensitivity pattern of these isolated organisms. Nearly 0.065-0.35 billion people suffer from ear infections leading to loss of hearing in 60% of them. As the middle ear is in close proximity to the cranium, ear infections may lead to intracranial complications. Inappropriate use of antibiotics in these situations can lead to persistence of otorrhoea and even multi-drug resistant bacterial strains. The knowledge of common micro-organisms causing these infections along with its susceptibility pattern remains a key to unravel the void left in otological microbial pattern.

Materials and Method: This prospective study was done at a tertiary care ENT Centre. Microbial analysis of otorrhoea samples taken from cases of middle ear infections was carried out at the Department of Microbiology for a period of 12 months (2023-24) at our Institute. The Hospital information system software was utilised in sharing the info and statistical details.

Results: In our study a total sample of 320 ear discharge were obtained and culture was done for causative microorganisms and antibiotic sensitivity of these microorganisms. Out of 320 samples, 131 (40.94%) were positive for growth of microorganisms while 189 (59.10%) samples were sterile. All positive samples for growth i.e. 40.94% were pure bacterial in nature.

Result: Out of 320 samples, 189 (59.10%) were found to be sterile while 131 samples (40.94%) were positive for growth. The microbiological profile of 131 pathogens were: Staphylococcus aureus 33.59%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 32.02%, CONS 9.16%, Klebsiella species 6.87%, Acinetobacter species 4.58%, Escherichia coli 3.05%, Citrobacter koseri 2.29%, Enterococcus spp 3.05%, Proteus mirabilis 3.05%, Streptococcus species 0.76%. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most common showing sensitivity to Gentamicin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Clindamycin, Vancomycin, etc. The second most common was Pseudomonas species being sensitive to Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Imipenem, Meropenem etc. Multi-drug-resistant strains were seen in around 57 samples predominantly Methicillin resistance. Pan-drug resistance was not reported.

Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most common pathogen grown in the culture with Pseudomonas species being the second most common showing sensitivity to both oral and injectable antibiotics. Based on our study, a total of 57(43.51%) isolates were MDR strains, hence it is imperative to do a culture and sensitivity pattern of ear infections for efficacious management, thereby reducing further complications.