Abstract

Otitis media with effusion is an inflammation of the middle ear in which fluid accumulates behind the eardrum. The aim of the study was to determine the bacteria isolates associated with untreated otitis media with effusion among primary school children in Kano metropolis Nigeria. A total of 42 samples were collected using sterile swab sticks from the subjects with symptoms of otitis media with effusion among primary school children within Kano metropolis from April 2017-July 2017. The samples were inoculated onto the surface of Nutrient agar, Mannitol salt agar, Chocolate agar and MacConkey agar. Identification of the isolates was done using Gram staining, bacteriological analysis and Biochemical tests. A total of 189 (8 species) isolates were recovered from 42 samples. The isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoneae, Streptococcus pneumoneae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, H. influenza and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococcus aureus has the highest prevalence with 34 isolates which accounted for 18%, this is followed by E. coli with 26 isolates and accounted for 15% while least number of isolates (17) was recorded in Staphylococcus epidermidis which accounted for 9%. It is concluded that Otitis media is polymicrobial infection.

Keywords: Bacteria; Effusion; Kano; Microorganism; Otitis media