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In vitro bacterial interference in the nasopharynx of otitis media-prone and non-otitis media-prone children
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
Objective:
To compare the frequency of recovery of potential pathogens and aerobic- and anaerobic-interfering bacteria in the nasopharynx of otitis media-prone (OMP) with that in non-OMP (N-OMP) children.
Patients And Methods:
Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from 20 OMP and 20 N-OMP children. Potential pathogens and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with interfering capabilities against these organisms were identified.
Results:
Eighteen potential pathogens were isolated from 12 of the 20 OMP children, and 9 were recovered from 5 of the 20 N-OMP children (P<.05). Fifty-eight aerobic and anaerobic isolates with interfering capability against 4 potential pathogens were recovered from 5 of the OMP group, and 139 from 17 of the N-OMP group (P<.05). These interfering organisms included alphahemolytic streptococci, nonhemolytic streptococci, Prevotella species, and Peptostreptococcus species.
Conclusion:
The nasopharyngeal flora of N-OMP children contains more aerobic and anaerobic organisms with interfering capability and less potential pathogens than that of OMP children.
Insights
Otitis media-prone (OMP) children have fewer potential pathogens and more interfering bacteria in their nasopharynx compared to non-OMP children. This suggests a difference in nasopharyngeal flora composition between the two groups.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Otitis media (OM) is a common childhood infection.
- The nasopharyngeal microbiome plays a role in susceptibility to otitis media.
- Identifying differences in nasopharyngeal flora between otitis media-prone (OMP) and non-OMP children is crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of potential pathogens in the nasopharynx of OMP and non-OMP children.
- To investigate the frequency of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with interfering capabilities in OMP versus non-OMP children.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal cultures were collected from 20 OMP and 20 N-OMP children.
- Identified potential pathogens and bacteria with interfering capabilities against these pathogens.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare the groups.
Main Results:
- OMP children had significantly more potential pathogens isolated (18 vs 9) compared to N-OMP children.
- N-OMP children harbored significantly more aerobic and anaerobic isolates with interfering capabilities (139 vs 58) than OMP children.
- Interfering organisms included alphahemolytic streptococci, nonhemolytic streptococci, Prevotella, and Peptostreptococcus species.
Conclusions:
- The nasopharyngeal flora of N-OMP children is characterized by a higher abundance of interfering aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
- Conversely, OMP children exhibit a greater presence of potential pathogens in their nasopharyngeal microbiome.
- These findings highlight distinct microbial profiles associated with otitis media proneness.