Fluoroquinolone-resistant otorrhea: risk factors and therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors and appropriate therapeutic regimens in fluoroquinolone-resistant otorrhea

Study Design: Retrospective study of patients with otorrhea undergoing ear exudate culture and identified as resistant to ciprofloxacin, from 2015 to 2022.

Materials and Methods: Review of clinical records and ear exudate cultures.

Results: Thirty-seven ear exudates with cultures resistant to fluoroquinolones were identified, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common etiological agent, followed by Escherichia coli. Non-fluoroquinolone topical monotherapy had a success rate of 31.3%, which was statistically superior to topical fluoroquinolone monotherapy, which had a success rate of 11.1% (p <0,05). In cases requiring both systemic and topical therapy, no significant differences were detected when comparing the use of topical fluoroquinolones with non-fluoroquinolone topical therapy.

Conclusion: Non-quinolone topical therapy appears to be superior when used as isolated treatment. However, when combined with systemic therapy, the type of topical therapy used did not influence clinical resolution.