ABSTRACT

The bacterial flora of the external auditory canal of children of Michael Opkara University of Agriculture, Staff School, Umudike, Abia State was investigated. The isolates were obtained using standard bacteriological methods. The media used for the isolation included McConkey agar, nutrient agar, and blood agar. Fifty swabs from the external auditory canal were collected from children under 12years of age, the results revealed that 41 (81%) were positive for bacterial growth while 9(18%) had no growth. The predominant organisms isolated included Staphylococcus aureus (56.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (26.83%), Streptococcus pneumoniaea (9.75%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.32%). Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that all the isolates were multi-resistant to five or more of the tested antibiotics while the most prevalent organisms namely Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were susceptible to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, penicillin, and ciproflaxin. All the isolates were almost resistant to ampicillin (except Streptococcus pneumoniaea) and pefloxacine.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Table of Content iv

List of Tables v

Abstract vi

Acknowledgement

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction 3

1.2 Significance of Study 3

1.3 Objectives 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literatures Review 5

2.1 Predisposing Factors of Otitis External Include 7

2.2 Complications of Otitis External 7

2.2 Symptoms of Otits External 8

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 9

3.1 Sample Collection 9

3.3 Sterilization of Materials 9

3.4 Media Preparation 9

10

3.3 Isolation and Identification of Bacteria 10

3.3.1 Gram Staining Test 11

3.3.2 Catalase Test 11

3.3.3 Coagulase Test 12

3.3.4 Oxidase Test 12

3.3.5 Citrate Utilization Test 13

3.3.6 Methyl-Red Test 13

3.4 Antibiotic Sensitivity Test 13

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Result 15

1

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion 23

References 2

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

1. Biochemical Characterization of the Isolates. 17

2. Percentage Frequency Distribution of Isolates 19

3. Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates 20