Sonali Malhotra
Lady Hardinge Medical College, India
Title: A study of biofilms in chronic otitis media: Active squamosal disease
Biography
Biography: Sonali Malhotra
Abstract
Objective: To detect the presence of biofilms in CSOM and to study the bacterial/fungal flora of biofilms.
Method: 40 patients suffering from chronic otitis media- An active squamosal disease were recruited in this prospective study. 35 out of 40 specimens were successfully processed. The remaining samples were not analyzed due to damage or loss during preparation. Data was duly recorded. Cholesteatoma sample procured at the time of mastoid surgery was microbiologically analyzed for bacterial and fungal infestation, and biofilms were detected using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The proportion of patients with presence of biofilms and their correlation to bacterial/fungal culture was statistically analyzed.
Results: Biofilms were present in 25 out of 35 (72%) patients. Bacterial biofilms were present in 12 out of 15 (80%) patients with middle ear cholesteatoma while fungal biofilms were found in 6 out of 12 (50%) patients.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that bacterial and fungal biofilms are common in CSOM with middle ear cholesteatomas. Our results provide new insights for further research in the treatment of CSOM.