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Enterococcus faecalis and otitis media with effusion. How to treat
1Department of Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, CA 90024.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Enterococcus faecalis, a bacteria resistant to common antibiotics, was found in middle ear fluid. Surgical drainage is recommended over antibiotics when this pathogen is identified in otitis media with effusion cases.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is often treated with antibiotics, assuming common upper respiratory pathogens are involved.
- Current antibiotic approaches for OME may not be effective against all causative microorganisms.
Observation:
- Enterococcus faecalis, an enteric bacterium, was isolated in pure culture from middle ear effusions in OME patients.
- This bacterium is infrequently found in the upper respiratory tract and exhibits resistance to commonly prescribed oral antibiotics.
Findings:
- The isolation of E. faecalis highlights a potential mismatch between assumed and actual pathogens in OME.
- Patients infected with E. faecalis did not respond to standard oral antibiotic therapies.
Implications:
- Surgical intervention, specifically middle ear drainage, is indicated for OME caused by E. faecalis when oral antibiotics fail.
- Intravenous antibiotic administration may be necessary, but surgical drainage is the preferred initial approach for E. faecalis OME.