ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA CAUSING EAR INFECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING ENT CLINICS IN ADEN, YEMEN

Abstract

Ear infections represent a critical, neglected public health crisis in developing countries, severely impacting millions of children and adults. This study aimed to identify the bacterial etiological agents of ear infections among patients attending ENT clinics in Aden City and to determine the risk factors associated with bacterial pathogens. A total of 181 ear swab samples were collected from August to October 2025 and cultured on appropriate media. The bacterial isolates were identified using colony characteristics, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Out of the 181 samples, 171 (94.5%) were culture-positive. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated organism (45.6%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23.9%), Escherichia coli (15.2%), Klebsiella spp. (7.6%), Proteus spp. (4.7%), and Streptococcus spp. (1.8%), whereas Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter spp. were the least common (0.6% each). The highest positive infection rate was (42.1%) in children ≤10 years old. Most positive infections occurred in females (60.2%) compared to males (39.8%). Positive infections were more common among the illiterate group (43.3%) and among urban residents (56.1%). Exposure to water appeared as the most significant risk factor (98.1%). The P. aeruginosa was the most common pathogen in ear infections. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and strengthened health education and prevention are recommended, especially for children and other high-risk groups.