Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine frequency of microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility of gram negative microorganisms isolated from external auditory canal swap specimens.

Materials and Methods: The culture results of 695 external auditory canal swap specimens from various clinic and polyclinics of Atatürk University Research Hospitals between two annual periods were evaluated retrospectively. Bacteriological and mycological cultures and identification of isolated microorganisms were examined by conventional method. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to the NCCLS criteria.

Results: A total of 800 bacteria, 22 yeast, and 20 molds were recovered from external auditory canal swap. The most common pathogenic isolates were S. aureus 124 (17.8%) and P. aeruginosa 119 (17.1%). There were a great number of other gram-negative bacterial species [Proteus spp. 53 (7.6%), E. coli 50 (7.2%), Enterobacter spp.45 (6.5%), Citrobacter spp.13 (1.9%) and Klebsiella spp. 4 (0.6%)] were recovered from external auditory canal.

Conclusion: We concluded that it is important to early diagnosis, follow-up the frequencies of pathogens and their resistance rates to antimicrobials to perform the effective therapy for patients with external auditory canal infections.