Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in chronic suppurative otitis media at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of chronic suppurative otitis media in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. RESULT: Sixty-two ear swabs were collected and 74 bacterial isolates were identified, of which 48 (77.4%) sample with mono-microbial growth, 11 (17.8%) with polymicrobial growth and the remaining 3 (4.8%) show no growth. The most common isolates were Proteus mirabilis 16 (21.6%), followed by S. aureus 12 (16.2%), Klebsiella spp. 10 (13.5%) and Providencia spp. 11 (14.9%). Proteus mirabilis was 100% susceptible to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin while 87.5% of the isolates were susceptible to cefixime and gentamicin. S. aureus was 83.3% susceptible to gentamicin and clarithromycin, while 75% of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and chloramphenicol, however, 66.7% the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and erythromycin. The overall prevalence of multidrug resistance in the current study was 35 (47.3%). In this study P. mirabilis, S. aureus, Providencia spp., and Klebsiella spp. were the most common bacterial isolate and all Gram negative isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin and tobramycin were relatively effective against Gram positive bacteria. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4452-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.