Bacterial agents of otitis media and their antibiotic resistance profile: a retrospective clinical presentation at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana

Bedzina, Israel; Deku, John Gameli; Ablordey, Kenneth; Goloe, Francisca Esenam; Eshun, Vida Angmorkie; Agyei, Eunice; Nmoandor, Jonathan Maniye; Womorde, Mark; Aninagyei, Enoch; Duedu, Kwabena

Bacterial agents of otitis media and their antibiotic resistance profile: a retrospective clinical presentation at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana

Bedzina, Israel and Deku, John Gameli and Ablordey, Kenneth and Goloe, Francisca Esenam and Eshun, Vida Angmorkie and Agyei, Eunice and Nmoandor, Jonathan Maniye and Womorde, Mark and Aninagyei, Enoch and Duedu, Kwabena (2025) Bacterial agents of otitis media and their antibiotic resistance profile: a retrospective clinical presentation at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana. BMC Microbiology. ISSN 1471-2180

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Official URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-0...

Abstract

Background

Otitis media is an important public health condition, particularly in children. Globally, it is estimated that 391.3 million people were affected by otitis media in 2021. It is ranked the fifth leading global burden of disease and the second cause of hearing loss. This study was conducted to identify the bacterial agents causing otitis media and their antibiotic resistance patterns at the St. Dominic Hospital in Ghana from 2020 to 2022.

Methods

A retrospective study involving 130 archived records was conducted at St. Dominic Hospital in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Data from the laboratory records in the department from 2020 to 2022 were retrieved. Data collected were entered into a Microsoft Excel 365 file, cleaned and exported into STATA version 15 statistical software for analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Within the study period, 130 suspected cases of otitis media were investigated in the laboratory. Of these, 46.2% (60/130) recorded bacterial growth. Isolates were predominantly Gram-negatives, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa [(28.3%) 17/60] and Proteus species [(26.7%) 16/60] accounted for majority of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus [(16.7%) 10/60] and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci [(8.3%) 5/60] were the only Gram-positive organisms isolated. All the Klebsiella species and Proteus species tested against ceftriaxone and meropenem were resistant, respectively. None of the isolates tested against amikacin was resistant.

Conclusion

The study highlights varying antimicrobial resistance patterns among the S. aureus and Gram-negative isolates, emphasising the importance of prudent antibiotic use, robust antibiotic stewardship practices, and continued surveillance to combat antimicrobial resistance effectively.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1186/s12866-025-04579-z
Dates:	Date Event 21 November 2025 Accepted 30 December 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Otitis media, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Antibiotic resistance, Ghana
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-02 - biology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2026 15:41
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2026 15:41
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16791