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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

[Prevalence of bacteria in children with otitis media with effusion]

M Beatriz Rotta Pereira1, Manuel R Pereira, Vlademir Cantarelli

  • 1Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. bearotta@hotmail.com

Jornal De Pediatria
|February 24, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is more sensitive than culture for detecting bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae in middle ear effusions of children with otitis media with effusion. This finding aids in understanding bacterial roles and antibiotic resistance in pediatric ear infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common pediatric condition.
  • Identifying causative bacteria is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Conventional culture methods may underestimate bacterial presence in OME.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis in pediatric OME.
  • Compare bacterial detection rates between culture and PCR methods.
  • Assess penicillin susceptibility of isolated bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 128 middle ear effusion specimens from children with OME.
  • Specimens collected via tympanocentesis and analyzed by culture and multiplex PCR.
  • Bacterial isolates tested for penicillin susceptibility.

Main Results:

  • PCR detected bacteria in 57.0% of specimens, significantly higher than culture (19.6%).
  • Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequently detected pathogen by PCR (39.1%).
  • High penicillin resistance observed: M. catarrhalis (100%), S. pneumoniae (62.5%), H. influenzae (23%).

Conclusions:

  • PCR offers superior sensitivity for bacterial identification in pediatric OME compared to culture.
  • Haemophilus influenzae is a predominant pathogen in this Brazilian cohort.
  • Findings support the role of bacteria in OME pathogenesis and highlight significant penicillin resistance.

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