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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Bacteria In The Ear?

My father (91 yrs old) was hospitalised in Wales last week with severe earache. I live in France so only gain information from my brother who I speak to every day. Dad has not responded to treatment and yesterday had a CT Scan, which they say was OK. However, the nurse told my brother that they had identified a bacteria (Morganella Morganii), that Dad s salt levels and potassium levels were high and that he had been put on a Nebuliser. He has been on a saline drip for dehydration since entering hospital but has managed to pull out the line on FOUR occasions, resulting in a bad wound on one hand. Can you tell me what this bacteria is and whether it could be contracted in hospital? Dad has lived alone for 18 months with a carer attending. He walks with difficulty on two sticks and does not leave the house except when taken to appointments.
posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Twitter Wed, 26 Nov 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 26 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.

Sorry to hear about your father's condition. M. Morganii is an unusual bacterial infection to have in the ear. It is an opportunistic infection which means it has capitalized on low immunity and has begun to grow. This bacteria is a normal organism found in the intestines and usually poses no harm. I am uncertain of how this reached the ear but the only thing I can think of is by the feco-oral-hand contamination that may have let this organism to the upper airway tract and then into the ears. M. Morganii is not a common hospital acquires infection. Usually seen after post operative wounds on patients who underwent intestinal surgeries.

Hope this information was helpful. Do let me know if you have any other concerns.
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What Causes Bacteria In The Ear?

Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM. Sorry to hear about your father s condition. M. Morganii is an unusual bacterial infection to have in the ear. It is an opportunistic infection which means it has capitalized on low immunity and has begun to grow. This bacteria is a normal organism found in the intestines and usually poses no harm. I am uncertain of how this reached the ear but the only thing I can think of is by the feco-oral-hand contamination that may have let this organism to the upper airway tract and then into the ears. M. Morganii is not a common hospital acquires infection. Usually seen after post operative wounds on patients who underwent intestinal surgeries. Hope this information was helpful. Do let me know if you have any other concerns.