Seasonal variation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in culture positive otitis externa in South East England

Otitis externa is the inflammation of the external auditory canal. The disease is common and shows a seasonal variation with a greater incidence in warmer months. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen in otitis externa and in this retrospective study, we show a corresponding seasonal variation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epidemiology and infection 2018-10, Vol.146 (14), p.1811-1812
Main Authors: Villedieu, A, Papesh, E, Weinberg, S E, Teare, L, Radhakrishnan, J, Elamin, W F
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Otitis externa is the inflammation of the external auditory canal. The disease is common and shows a seasonal variation with a greater incidence in warmer months. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen in otitis externa and in this retrospective study, we show a corresponding seasonal variation in the proportional incidence of P. aeruginosa isolates from otitis externa in South East England. In total 7770 patients were diagnosed with otitis externa over a period of 9 years from January 2008 to December 2016. P. aeruginosa was isolated from 2802 patients (proportional incidence of 36%). Incidence was higher in the months of August, September and October and in patients between 5 and 15 years of age. We postulate a combination of increased contact with water during warm weather in the holiday season and increased rainfall in the preceding season as a putative mechanism for the seasonal trends.
ISSN:0950-2688
1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S0950268818001899