Comparison of isolates using conventional sterile swab and nichrome wire loop in chronic suppurative otitis media cases

ABSTRACT

In chronic suppurative otitis media aerobic Gram positive, Gram negative and anaerobes are found. Middle ear specimen for bacterial culture can be obtained by using sterile swabs and nichrome wire loop separately. To study difference in isolation of bacterial pathogens in cases of CSOM using sterile swabs and nichrome wire loop to obtain middle ear specimen and find a simple, safe, and effective method of collecting middle ear specimen. Study of 100 tubotympanic cases from CSOM patients and collection of ear discharge samples with conventional sterile swabs and Nichorme wire loop separately. Selection of 100 tubotympanic cases from CSOM patients on the basis of history, clinical features, microscopic examination of tympanic membrane by E.N.T. consultant and processing of ear swabs for bacterial culture isolation. The ear discharge sampled with nichrome wire loop [n=100] and conventional sterile swab [n=100] yielded 208 and 221 isolates respectively. Staphylococcus aureus represented 36.5% and 34.3% Pseudomonas aeruginosa 25.9% and 24.4% proteus species 12.5% and 11.7% of the total isolates obtained. Bacterial isolates from ear samples taken with conventional sterile swab were found to be identical to those with nichrome wire loop. Conventional sterile swab is a simple, safe, cheap and effective method of collecting middle ear specimen