Final answer:
The common bacterial pathogen for otitis externa is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is often treated with specific ear drops. Acute otitis media (AOM) is typically caused by S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common bacterial pathogen responsible for otitis externa, also known as swimmer's ear, is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium thrives in moist environments and can cause infections such as otitis externa, hot tub folliculitis, and skin and eye infections. Treatment for otitis externa typically consists of ear drops with acetic acid, antibacterials, steroids to reduce inflammation, and sometimes antifungals when fungal agents are also involved.
For acute otitis media (AOM), the usual causative agents are S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, with these infections inducing an inflammatory response in the middle ear. Unlike P. aeruginosa infections, the H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis strains causing AOM don't have a capsule.