The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology (Aug 2025)

The tsunami of antibiotic resistance as a global health crisis in otorhinolaryngology patients; a cross-sectional study

  • Peter Milad,
  • Ossama Ibrahim Mansour,
  • Mohammed Shehata Taha,
  • Tarek Ashmawy,
  • Heba Mahmoud Abdelmageed,
  • Samia Abdou Girgis,
  • Azza Omran,
  • Anas Askoura,
  • Omar Yassin,
  • Amr Hamed,
  • Mena Maher Nassif

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00883-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 41, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant challenge in the treatment of infections, especially in otorhinolaryngology (ORL) and particularly in countries like Egypt, where indiscriminate use of antibiotics, both within and outside healthcare settings, has exacerbated this issue. Objective Due to the desperate need for sustainable access to effective antibiotic the patterns of antimicrobial resistance among ORL patients in Egypt were studied and the implications for clinical management and public health were assessed. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 patients with ORL infections who were presented to outpatient clinic at Ain Shams university hospital. Swabs were taken from the ear, nose, or throat of the patients, followed by culture and sensitivity testing. Additionally, CBC and CRP tests were performed for all patients. Results Throat cultures: 61 samples were obtained with group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GAS) was the most frequently isolated organism with 37.7%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus 27.9%. High levels of resistance were observed to Azithromycin and Cefixime. Ear Cultures Fifty-eight samples were obtained showing CoNS as the most frequently isolated organism with17.2%, followed by Staphylococcus Aureus 15.5%, with significant resistance to cotrimoxazole and erythromycin. Nose cultures: 15 samples were obtained, coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) was the most common isolate 60% followed by GAS 33.3%, showing substantial resistance to Erythromycin and Cotrimoxazole. Conclusion Throat organisms were found to be more susceptible to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (ACA), Cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone respectively, Ear organisms were found to be more susceptible to ACA, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime respectively, as for nose organisms, they were found to be more susceptible to ACA, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin respectively. The high rates of resistance observed in common ORL pathogens call for urgent action in revising treatment protocols and enhancing antibiotic stewardship.

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