Effect of Climate on the Bacteriology of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Objectives: We evaluated the correlation between the microbial content of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and regional climatic parameters. Methods: We assessed the interrelations between monthly mean records of temperature, maximum temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity and the aerobic microbial flora in CSOM. Results: Forty-three bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae, 67 staphylococcal spp, 51 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 9 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 α-hemolytic Streptococcus, 1 Enterococcus sp, and 2 Edwardsiella tarda strains were recovered from 173 patients with CSOM. There was a good relationship between enteric bacteria and monthly mean temperature (r = 0.501) and significant colonization rates due to increasing monthly mean temperature (p = .040) and monthly mean maximum temperature values (p = .048). Conclusions: When the weather warmed, the frequency of isolation of enteric bacteria increased significantly. Temperature changes may affect the enteric bacterial colonization of CSOM.