Role of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in chronic suppurative otitis media

This study reports results of cultures of drainage from 119 cases with chronic otitis media. Mixed infections were found to occur 30 times more frequently among cholesteatomatous cases compared to noncholesteatomatous. A significant association was found between prior use of gentamicin ear drops and bacterial resistance to the drug. The role of aerobes and anaerobes in mixed infections of cholesteatomatous ears is discussed. The relevant literature is critically reviewed and the mechanisms of synergistic anaerobic infections of the ear are summarized. The need for animal studies of bacterial pathogenicity and parallel human studies of response to rational medicinal treatment is stressed.