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Published on: February 15, 2013
Test-retest reliability of the nasopharyngeal culture in children
C Hemlin1, A Brauner, C Carenfelt
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Nasopharyngeal cultures reliably identify key pathogens in children with otitis media. This test-retest reliability study confirms the accuracy of nasopharyngeal cultures for diagnosing middle ear infections in children.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Nasopharyngeal colonization by specific bacteria is crucial in pediatric otitis media.
- Understanding the reliability of diagnostic methods is essential for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of nasopharyngeal cultures in children.
- To assess the accuracy of identifying key pathogens in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and acute otitis media (AOM).
Main Methods:
- 174 children, including those with OME, AOM, and healthy controls, underwent nasopharyngeal culturing.
- Duplicate specimens were used to assess reproducibility.
- Distribution and recovery rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis, and beta-haemolytic streptococci were analyzed.
Main Results:
- High conformity in pathogen distribution and recovery rates was observed between different groups and across seasonal variations.
- Test-retest reliability for pathogen findings ranged from 70% to 80% in children with AOM and OME.
- Reproducibility was consistent whether quantitative aspects were considered or not.
Conclusions:
- Nasopharyngeal culture demonstrates good test-retest reliability for identifying common pathogens in children with otitis media.
- The findings support the use of nasopharyngeal cultures as a valid diagnostic tool in pediatric otitis media management.
Abstract:
Aspects of test-retest reliability of the nasopharyngeal culture were evaluated in children with otitis media and in ear, nose and throat (ENT)-healthy children, in all 174 cases. The nasopharyngeal colonization of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis and beta-haemolytic streptococci was determined for a group of children with well-defined otitis media effusion (OME). The valitity of the results was then tested in a new group of children with OME. Despite seasonal differences and different bacteriologists analysing the specimens, high conformity was found between the two groups regarding distribution and recovery rates of the potential pathogens studied. The test-retest reliability of the culture was also analysed by duplicate specimens in children with acute otitis media (AOM), OME and in ENT-healthy children. The reproducibility of the findings of pathogens, whether quantitative aspects were considered or not, was found to be between 70 and 80% for children with AOM and OME.
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