High Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Otitis Media–Associated Bacterial Flora of Asymptomatic People Living with HIV at Morogoro Hospital, Tanzania

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of otitis media (OM)-associated bacterial flora of asymptomatic people living with HIV (PLH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and assess antibiotic resistance profiles of the bacteria. METHODOLOGY: Ear secretion specimens were collected by syringe or cotton swabs. Isolated bacteria were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests. RESULTS: Of 290 recruited PLH, 81.7% were females and 18.3% males; their CD4(+) counts ranged from 0 to 1770. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli were the predominant bacteria. High antibiotic resistance was detected on Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The prevalence rate of OM-associated bacteria (OAB) was 93.4%, and majority of the bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Linear association between the prevalence of OAB with both duration of ART and CD4(+) counts was observed. CONCLUSION: High prevalence rates of OAB and antibiotic resistance were observed. Negative correlation between CD4(+) counts and prevalence of OAB was revealed.