Frequency of Bacterial Spectrum in Children Presenting with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media at Tertiary Care Hospital, Larkana

Abstract

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) remains a major cause of preventable hearing loss in children. This is particularly so in low- and middle-income countries. Identifying the local bacterial spectrum is essential for guiding empirical treatment and improving clinical outcomes. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital in Larkana and enrolled 132 children with CSOM. We recorded demographic characteristics and collected ear discharge samples for bacterial culture. We analyzed the distribution of bacterial isolates and examined their relationship with age, gender, and residence. Results: Most children were between 9 to 16 years old (65.2%). Majority lived in urban areas (84.8%). The gender distribution was nearly equal (48.5% male and 51.5% female). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (37.9%). Followed by Escherichia coli (12.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.1%), Acinetobacter (9.1%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.8%). We did not find statistically significant associations between bacterial isolates and demographic variables. Although younger children and rural residents showed slightly higher frequencies of E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusion: We identified Staphylococcus aureus as the predominant pathogen in pediatric CSOM, with gram-negative bacteria contributing significantly. These findings highlight the need for local microbiological surveillance and culture-guided therapy to improve treatment strategies and help reduce antimicrobial resistance in this population.