Bacterial Colonization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Ears of Apparently Healthy Students in an Institution

Abstract

Aim: Asymptomatic bacterial colonization of the human ear can lead to a serious ear infection which can be of public health concern. The aim of this study is to determine the bacterial colonization and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from ears of apparently healthy students of the Microbiology Department in the Faculty of Biological Sciences of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional study design. The sampling technique employed was the simple random sampling technique. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology. This study started between the months of June to August, 2025. Methodology: A total of 150 ear swabs were collected from apparently healthy students in the Department of Microbiology. The samples were analysed using culture technique and the bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Kirby-Bauer method of antibiotic susceptibility testing and CLSI guidelines were adopted. Results: Out of 150 ear swab samples, 43 (28.17%) showed positive growth while 107 (71.33%) showed negative growth. Positive culture occurred in a total of 18(25.71%)female and 25(31.25%) male. Five (5) species of bacteria were identified, including Escherichia coli 10(23.26%), Pseudomonas spp 5(11.63%), Klebsiella spp 7(16.28%), Streptococcus spp 8(18.61%), and Staphylococcus aureus 13 (30.23%). The isolates showed a great degree of multidrug resistance to the test antibiotics. Conclusion: The isolation of these bacteria species from apparently healthy students and their multidrug resistance pattern is of public health risk, therefore, students are advised to avoid introducing foreign and unhygienic object into the ear.