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Seasonal distribution of otitis media pathogens among Costa Rican children

Silvia Guevara1, Carolina Soley, Adriano Arguedas

  • 1Instituto de Atención Pediátrica, San José, Costa Rica.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|December 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric otitis media in Costa Rica is primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Antibiotic resistance, particularly penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae, is higher during the rainy season.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial resistance

Background:

  • Otitis media is a leading reason for pediatric consultations.
  • Understanding pathogen distribution aids antimicrobial selection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine seasonal pathogen and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Costa Rican children with otitis media.
  • Compare current data with historical trends.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 952 children (3-144 months) with otitis media from 1999-2004.
  • Comparison with historical data from 1992-1997.

Main Results:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae (49%) and Haemophilus influenzae (37%) were the most common pathogens.
  • H. influenzae proportion and beta-lactamase production increased from 1992-1997 to 1999-2004.
  • Penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae was more frequent in the rainy season (38.5%) vs. dry season (18%).

Conclusions:

  • S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae are key pathogens in pediatric otitis media in Costa Rica.
  • Recent increases in H. influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis noted.
  • Seasonal variations in antibiotic resistance, particularly for S. pneumoniae, impact otitis media management.
Abstract

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