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[Acute otitis media in childhood. Clinical and microbiological study of 50 cases]
F Del Castillo Martín1, I Barrio Gómez de Agüero, A García Perea
1Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Infantil de la S. S. La Paz, Madrid.
Insights
Acute otitis media with effusion (AOME) in children is often caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These pathogens were identified in 60% of pediatric AOME cases studied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
Context:
- Acute otitis media with effusion (AOME) is a common pediatric illness.
- Understanding the causative pathogens is crucial for effective treatment.
- This study investigated bacterial pathogens in pediatric AOME cases.
Purpose:
- To identify the most frequent bacterial pathogens responsible for AOME in children under 14.
- To analyze the prevalence of specific bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Summary:
- Fifty pediatric AOME cases were analyzed, with the highest incidence in children under 22 months.
- Common symptoms included otalgia/irritability (80%) and fever (66%).
- Haemophilus influenzae (26%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (24%) were the most prevalent pathogens, accounting for 60% of all cases and 81% of positive cultures. No cases of Moraxella catarrhalis or Staphylococcus aureus were found.
Impact:
- Highlights the dominant role of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in pediatric AOME.
- Informs clinical practice and antibiotic stewardship for AOME management.
- Provides epidemiological data for public health surveillance of pediatric respiratory infections.
Abstract:
Fifty cases of acute otitis media effusion (AOME) in children less than 14 years of age are reported. The largest age group consisted of children less than 22 months of age (22 cases). Otolgia or irritability (80%) and fever (66%) were the most common symptoms. Tympanocentesis of the middle-ear effusion was performed in all of the cases. Haemophilus influenzae was recovered in 13 patients (26%), S. pneumoniae in 12 (24%), S. pyogenes in 4 (8%), P. aeruginosa in 2 (4%), anaerobic bacteria in 2 (4%) and mixed cultures in 4 children; 2 cases of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae, 1 case of S. pneumoniae and E. coli, and 1 case of E. coli and P. aeruginosa. There were no cases of M. catarrhalis or S. aureus. We conclude that H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae are the most frequent pathogens (60% of all patients and 81% of the positive cultures).