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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Biofilm density in the pediatric nasopharynx: recurrent acute otitis media versus obstructive sleep apnea

Giancarlo Zuliani1, Michael Carlisle, Aaron Duberstein

  • 1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.

The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|August 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) have significantly more biofilm on their adenoids than those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Biofilms may play a key role in RAOM development and antibiotic resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Biofilms are microbial communities resistant to antibiotics.
  • Recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) is often antibiotic-resistant.
  • The role of biofilms in RAOM pathogenesis is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare biofilm surface density on adenoids from children with RAOM versus obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Main Methods:

  • Scanning electron microscopy was used for comparative microanatomic study.
  • Adenoid tissues from 68 children (RAOM and OSA groups) were analyzed.
  • Patient age ranged from 3 months to 15 years.

Main Results:

  • Adenoids from RAOM patients showed extensive biofilm coverage (average 93.53%).
  • Adenoids from OSA patients had minimal biofilm coverage (average 1.01%).
  • The difference in biofilm coverage was statistically significant (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Adenoids in RAOM patients are heavily colonized by biofilms.
  • Biofilms may contribute to antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis in RAOM.
  • Scant biofilm coverage was observed in OSA patients.
Abstract

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