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Bacterial etiology and serotypes of acute otitis media in Mexican children

Mercedes Macias Parra1, Gerardo Martinez Aguilar, Gabriela Echaniz-Aviles

  • 1Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, Insurgentes Sur 3700-C, Insurgentes Cuicuilco, México 04530, Mexico. mermacpar@hotmail.com

Vaccine
|May 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae cause most acute otitis media (AOM) in Mexican children. Vaccination targeting these bacteria, especially non-typeable H. influenzae, is recommended to reduce AOM incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood infection, primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
  • Existing data on AOM pathogens are largely from North America and Europe, with limited information from Latin America.
  • Understanding local epidemiology is crucial for effective vaccine and antibiotic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the bacterial pathogens responsible for AOM in Mexican children.
  • To determine the serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae.
  • To assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of key AOM pathogens in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, multi-center, tympanocentesis-based epidemiological study.
  • Inclusion of Mexican children aged three months to less than five years.
  • Bacterial culture, pathogen identification, serotyping, and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

  • 64% of AOM episodes yielded positive bacterial cultures.
  • Haemophilus influenzae (34%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (29%) were the predominant pathogens.
  • Common S. pneumoniae serotypes included 19A, 19F, and 23F; all H. influenzae were non-typeable.
  • High susceptibility rates were observed for amoxicillin/clavulanate against both pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae are significant contributors to AOM in Mexican children.
  • Vaccination strategies targeting these specific pathogens are warranted.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility data support the use of certain antibiotics for AOM treatment in this region.

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