{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Aetiology of ear infection and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among patients attending otorhinolaryngology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.
{Author}: Shangali A;Kamori D;Massawe W;Masoud S;Kibwana U;Mwingwa AG;Manisha A;Mwandigha AM;Mirambo MM;Mshana SE;Manyahi J;Majigo M;
{Journal}: BMJ Open
{Volume}: 13
{Issue}: 4
{Year}: 04 2023 3
{Factor}: 3.006
{DOI}: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068359
{Abstract}: To determine the aetiological pathogens causing ear infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients with ear complaints at a tertiary hospital in Dar es Salaam.<BR>Hospital-based cross-sectional study.<BR>Otorhinolaryngology clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.<BR>Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of ear infection.<BR>Bacteria and fungi isolated from ear swab specimens of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of ear infection; and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria.<BR>Two hundred and fifty-five participants were enrolled, with a median age of 31 years and an IQR of 15-49. Otitis externa was the predominant type of ear infection, accounting for 45.1%. We observed positive bacteria culture in 53.3% of study participants, in which 41% of isolates were obtained from patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus (27.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24.2%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria, while Candida spp, 12 (63.8%) and Aspergillus spp, 9 (36.2%) were the only isolated fungi. Furthermore, we report that 93% of isolated Enterobacterales were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and 73% were resistant to ceftazidime. In addition, we detected 34.4% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and 44.4% methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA). We also found that 22% of the bacteria isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, a primary topical antibiotic used in managing ear infections.<BR>The findings from this study reveal that the leading aetiological agent of ear infection is bacteria. Furthermore, our findings show a significant proportion of ESBL-PE and MRSA-causing ear infections. Hence, detecting multidrug-resistant bacteria is crucial to improving ear infection management.