Original Research

The Microbiological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media inChildren

Manzoor Ahmed1
Combined Military Hospital Sargodha
Muhammad Zubair Khan2
Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences, DHQ Teaching Hospital Kohat
Junaid Hussain3
Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Institute of Medical Sciences Gambat
Rahim Bakhsh4
Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Karachi
Zafar Mahmood4
Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Karachi
Sana Muhammad Sadiq5
Niazi Medical and Dental College Sargodha

✉ Correspondence: Sana Muhammad Sadiq Email: sanaent1112@gmail.com

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v7i1.2614
Volume: 7, Issue 1 Pages: 68–73 Published: 10 Mar 2026
Received: 26 May 2025 Revised: 14 Jan 2026 Accepted: 19 Feb 2026 Published Online: 10 Mar 2026

Abstract

Objective

To identify the frequency and distribution of bacterial pathogens in pediatric Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) and analyze their antibiotic resistance patterns over a year study period at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Methods

A cross-sectional-descriptive study was conducted at Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Karachi, from 1st April 2024, to 30th April, 2025. A total of 350 children (ages 0.5–15 years) diagnosed with CSOM were included via non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were recorded on a predesigned proforma. Bacterial cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using Gram staining, biochemical tests, and culture media (chocolate, MacConkey, blood agar). Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.

Results

A cohort of 350 children (mean age 5.87±2.17 years) was enrolled and showed male dominance (67.1%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (19.4%) were the most common isolates. Resistance was highest for β-lactams and fluoroquinolones, while glycopeptides and aminoglycosides remained effective. A statistically significant association was found between age of the patients and distribution of multiple organisms using one-way-ANOVA test (p <0.001).

Conclusion

Antibiotic resistance in pediatric CSOM necessitates updated regional data for precise treatment. Empirical therapy should be replaced with targeted antibiotic strategies.

Keywords
Antibiotic resistance Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Ciprofloxacin Hearing Loss Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus.

How to Cite This Article

Ahmed M, Khan MZ, Hussain J, Bakhsh R, Mahmood Z, Sadiq SM. The Microbiological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media inChildren. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2026;7(1):68–73. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v7i1.2614

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

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Reference list indexed for Google Scholar and ResearchGate. DOI links resolve via doi.org.

CC BY CC BY 4.0 This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. May be shared and adapted with attribution. © 2026 Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.
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