Background: Suppurative chronic otitis media (SCOM) is a disease associated with tympanic membrane perforation and pus secretion. Varieties of medications have been applied as oral, local, or even IV preparations to eradicate the infection. Some investigators have used acetic acid 1% or 2% alone or in combination with other drugs. In the present study we have compare the efficacy of acetic acid over the SCOM pathogens.

Materials and methods: It was a clinical trial. Samples were collected from ear secretions of 96 patients with SCOM. Isolated microorganisms were cultured in the presence of acetic acid 1% and 2%.

Results: Of 100 samples, 20 microorganisms (19 pathogens) were isolated among which 16 bacteria and 3 fungi were identified. Having exposed to acetic acid 1%, 10 microorganisms, including 8 bacteria and 2 fungi, failed to grow, however, none of the aforementioned microorganisms grow following the exposure to the acetic acid 2%.