This is a prospective study to identify the bacterial and fungal organisms causing Malignant Otitis Externa (MOE) in patients presenting to Sohag University Hospitals. Ear swabs will be collected from patients diagnosed with MOE and sent to the microbiology lab for culture and sensitivity testing. The goal is to determine the most common pathogens and their antibiotic resistance patterns to help doctors choose the best treatment.
Malignant Otitis Externa is a severe infection of the external ear canal that can spread to the skull base. It is most common in elderly diabetic patients. There is limited data about the microbiological profile of MOE patients in Upper Egypt. Objectives: 1. To identify the bacterial and fungal pathogens isolated from patients with MOE at Sohag University Hospitals. 2. To determine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolated organisms. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with MOE in the ENT department at Sohag University Hospitals will be included. An ear swab will be taken from each patient under sterile conditions and sent to the microbiology laboratory. Samples will undergo culture, identification, and antibiotic sensitivity testing according to standard lab protocols. Patient demographic data and clinical findings will also be recorded. Expected Outcome: To provide local data on the causative organisms of MOE and their resistance patterns to guide empirical antibiotic therapy.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
For all enrolled patients, an ear swab will be collected for bacterial and fungal culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This is a diagnostic procedure only and is not a therapeutic intervention. No drugs are administered as part of this study.
Sohag University Hospitals
Sohag, Sohag Governorate, Egypt
RECRUITINGNumber and percentage of bacterial and fungal isolates resistant to each antibiotic tested at enrollment
Measure: Antibiotic susceptibility testing will be performed on all isolates obtained from patients with Malignant Otitis Externa according to CLSI guidelines. Metric: Count and percentage of resistant isolates for each antibiotic.
Time frame: At time of enrollment, from July 2026 to July 2027
Number and percentage of microbial isolates with antibiotic and antifungal resistance at enrollment
Microbial isolates including bacteria and fungi will be obtained from patients with Malignant Otitis Externa. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing will be performed for bacteria and antifungal susceptibility testing for fungi according to CLSI guidelines. Metric: Count and percentage of resistant isolates reported separately for bacterial and fungal organisms for each antimicrobial agent tested.
Time frame: At time of enrollment, from July 2026 to July 2027
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