Infectious

1. INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF
THE EARS
MAJID MOHIUDDIN

2. INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF THE
EARS
• Three pathways for pathogens to enter:
1. Through eustachian (auditory) tube,
from the throat and nasopharynx.
2. From external ear.
3. Through the blood or lymph.
• OTITIS MEDIA: Infection of middle ear.
• OTITIS EXTERNA: Infection of the outer ear
canal.

3. VIRAL AND BACTERIAL
INFECTIONS OF EAR

4. OTITIS EXTERNA, EXTERNAL OTITIS, EAR
CANAL INFECTION, SWIMMER’S EAR
• Infection with itching, pain, malodorous
discharge, tenderness, redness, swelling and
impaired hearing.
• Otitis externa is often referred to as swimmer’s
ear.

5. Etiologic Agent
• Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus;
rarely by fungus –e.g., Aspergillus.
Reservoirs and Mode of Transmission
• Contaminated swimming pool water,
indigenous microflora, articles.
Diagnosis
• Culture and Susceptibility.

6. OTITIS MEDIA, MIDDLE EAR
INFECTION:
• Develop as Complication of the common cold.
• Persistent and severe earache.
• Temporary hearing loss.
• Pressure in middle ear.
• Bulging of the eardrum (Tympanic membrane),
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever in young children.
• May lead to rupture of the eardrum, bloody discharge
and then pus.
• Severe complications: bone infection, permanent
hearing loss, and meningitis.

7. Etiologic Agent
• Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumonia (G+ve diplococcus),
Haemophillus influenzae (G-ve bacillus) and Moraxella
catarrhalis (G-ve diplococcus) also Streptococcus pyogenes
and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Virus: Measles virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV)
Reservoirs and Mode of Transmission
• Not Communicable
Diagnosis
• Culture and Sensitivity.
• Beta lactamase testing for H.influenzae and S.pneumonia.

8. The End