Isolation of Bacterial Pathogens from Ear Infections and Evaluation of Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns: A Study of 60 Cases

Background: Ear infections remain one of the most common causes of outpatient visits in both pediatric and adult populations worldwide. Increasing antimicrobial resistance among otopathogens has complicated empirical treatment strategies. Objective: To isolate and identify bacterial pathogens from patients with ear infections and evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based study was conducted on 60 clinically diagnosed cases of ear infections. Ear discharge samples were collected using sterile swabs and processed for culture and sensitivity testing using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Out of 60 samples, 52 (86.7%) showed positive bacterial growth. The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (30.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.4%), Proteus mirabilis (11.5%), Escherichia coli (9.6%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.7%). High resistance was observed against ampicillin (78%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (62%), and erythromycin (65%). Most isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (82%), ceftriaxone (76%) and amikacin (85%). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms in ear infections. Periodic surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility is essential for guiding appropriate empirical therapy and preventing complications.