Ear infection

Question 1

superficial infection of the skin of the outer ear and outer ear canal (also called “Swimmer’s ear”
causes:
-trapped moisture may cause skin softening- becomes a breeding ground for bacteria
-trauma to the ear canal causing skin damage- cleaning with Q tips too often/vigorously
Symptoms:
-red, weepy, sensitive skin; bleeds easily
-itchy ear canal
-pain in the outer ear canal
-sometimes fluid drainage

Answer 1

Otitis Externa

Question 2

A rare complication of OE
-bacteria spread from an external ear canal infection into the temporal bone of the skull
-can cause nerve damage/paralysis and sigmoid sinus clots
-considered a life-threatening disorder with an overall mortality rate as high as 50%
-happens mostly in patients who are immunocompromised, especially older patients with diabetes
-_____ _______ is the most common cause followed secondly by ____ _______
-________ spp and ________ are the most common fungus

Answer 2

Necrotizing or Malignant OE
- P. aeruginosa; S aureus
-Aspergillus; Candida

Question 3

-a yeast related to Candida albicans but is germ tube negative
-an emerging nosocomial pathogen- associated in outbreaks in healthcare settings
-causes wound, ear and severe invasive infections with a high death rate (57%)
-huge problem because becoming more common, invasive and MDR
-infection control measures are paramount to stop transmission

Risk factors:
-those in HC settings who have undergone recent surgery or with central venous catheter
-patients with diabetes, or who have been treated with broad-spectrum antibiotic and/or anti fungal therapy

Answer 3

Candida auris

Question 4

C. auris is difficult to identify- often misidentified
-the only reliable ID is by _______

Answer 4

Maldi

Question 5

a superficial fungal infection of the external ear canal
-may occur in those who swim, use oils, antibiotic ear-drops, steroids or are immunocompromised
-can also cause necrotizing or malignant otitis externa with local spread to bone and cartilage

Answer 5

Aspergillus otomycosis

Question 6

Normal skin flora of outer ear

Answer 6

CONS
Bacillus spp
Corynebacterium spp
Proprionibacterium spp
Candida spp (not albicans or auras)
Malassezia furfur

Question 7

an infection of the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear
-due to viruses or bacteria or as a complication of the common cold or allergies
-most common between 3 mos and 3 years because structures like the Eustachian tube, are immature and not functioning properly
- infected ear is painful with a red, bulging eardrum- may have a high fever, hearing loss
-eardrum may rupture, causing pus to drain from the ear, sometime with relief of ear pain
-if the infection spreads, can cause meningitis

Answer 7

otitis media

Question 8

specimen used to diagnose OM

Answer 8

tympanocentesis fluid (sterile fluid)
ear swabs are not appropriate or useful

Question 9

Susceptibility testing for OE

Answer 9

AST not usually done as most treatment is topical; there is no CLSI interpretation for topical antibiotics

add the canned text instead

You must still setup an OX screen for any S aureus & a VANC screen for any Enterococcus to rule out MRSA/VRE