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Impact of antibiotics on pathogens associated with otitis media with effusion
Yukiko Hamamoto1, Yukako Gotoh, Yoshimi Nakajo
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.
Objective:
To further understand the roles of bacteria and antibiotics in the development of otitis media with effusion (OME).
Methods:
Samples of middle-ear effusion (MEE) were collected during the placement of ventilation tubes to treat chronic OME. Children with acute otitis media within the past three months were excluded from this study. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect pathogens and to test the susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin.
Results:
Among MEE samples from 52 children, PCR detected bacterial DNA in 32 per cent (24/75) of them. S. pneumoniae was detected more frequently in middle ears that required ventilation tube insertion at least twice compared with those requiring ventilation tube insertion only once (5/15 versus 4/60; p = 0.013). Higher levels of S. pneumoniae were detected in MEE from children with, than without, a long history of antibiotic administration (7/10 versus 2/14; p = 0.0187). The pbp genes of all isolated S. pneumoniae contained mutations.
Conclusions:
Long exposure to antibiotics might significantly influence the bacterial genome in MEE.
Insights
Long-term antibiotic exposure may alter bacterial DNA in middle-ear fluid (MEF), potentially influencing the development of otitis media with effusion (OME). This study investigated bacterial roles in OME.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
- Genetics
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common condition in children.
- The roles of bacteria and antibiotic exposure in OME pathogenesis require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of bacteria in middle-ear effusion (MEE) from children with chronic OME.
- To explore the association between antibiotic history and bacterial findings in OME.
Main Methods:
- Middle-ear effusion (MEE) samples were collected from 52 children undergoing ventilation tube insertion for chronic OME.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect bacterial DNA and assess Streptococcus pneumoniae susceptibility to penicillin.
- Children with recent acute otitis media were excluded.
Main Results:
- Bacterial DNA was detected in 32% of MEE samples.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae was more prevalent in ears requiring multiple ventilation tube insertions.
- Elevated S. pneumoniae levels correlated with a history of prolonged antibiotic administration.
- All detected S. pneumoniae isolates exhibited mutations in their pbp genes.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged antibiotic exposure may significantly impact the bacterial genome within the middle ear.
- These genomic alterations could play a role in the development and persistence of OME.
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