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Multiple Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in aural discharge samples from children with acute otitis media with

Fernanda Rodrigues1, Begonia Morales-Aza, Katy M E Turner

  • 1Infectious Diseases Unit and Emergency Service, Hospital Pediátrico de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|July 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

In children with acute otitis media, Streptococcus pneumoniae was common. Multiple strains, especially capsule-bearing ones, were linked to other ear infection pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology of otitis media

Background:

  • Acute otitis media (AOM) with otorrhea is common in children.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a key pathogen in AOM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in pediatric AOM with otorrhea.
  • To determine the association between multiple pneumococcal strains and co-pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Culture-based analysis of middle ear fluid from 55 children with AOM and otorrhea.
  • Identification and strain typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Detection of other otopathogens.

Main Results:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in 51% of cases (28/55).
  • Two distinct S. pneumoniae strains were found in 10 cases, with 5 having pairs of capsule-bearing serotypes.
  • Cases with multiple S. pneumoniae strains were more likely to harbor other otopathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple S. pneumoniae strains, particularly capsule-bearing serotypes, may be associated with polymicrobial infections in AOM with otorrhea.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of pneumococcal strain diversity in AOM.

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