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Serous otitis media (S.O.M.). A bacteriological study of the ear canal and the middle ear
S I Cabenda1, P G Peerbooms, G J van Asselt
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
A bacteriological study of the middle-ear effusions and the ear canals in children with chronic serous otitis media (S.O.M.) was performed. Sixty-eight children (127 ears) were investigated. From this study it appeared that cleansing of the ear canal with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol for 30 s is partially effective; micro-organisms (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis) could still be isolated in 29%. Cleansing of the ear canal decreases the incidence of middle-ear fluid contamination by non-pathogenic ear canal organisms (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Aerococcus), but after cleansing, 'non-pathogenic' micro-organisms could still be isolated in 33% of the effusions (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis). From 12% of the middle-ear effusions pathogenic micro-organisms (Hemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus pneumoniae) were isolated; cleansing of the ear canal did not influence this percentage. Anaerobics were not isolated from the middle-ear effusions.
Insights
Ear canal cleansing partially reduces non-pathogenic bacteria in children with chronic serous otitis media (S.O.M.). However, it does not affect the isolation rate of pathogenic bacteria in middle-ear effusions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Chronic serous otitis media (S.O.M.) is common in children.
- The role of middle-ear effusion and ear canal bacteria in S.O.M. requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a bacteriological study of middle-ear effusions and ear canals in children with S.O.M.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of ear canal cleansing on bacterial contamination.
Main Methods:
- Investigated 68 children (127 ears) with S.O.M.
- Analyzed middle-ear effusions and ear canal swabs.
- Assessed the impact of ear canal cleansing with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol.
Main Results:
- Ear canal cleansing was partially effective, with microorganisms still isolated in 29% of cases.
- Cleansing reduced contamination by non-pathogenic ear canal organisms but did not eliminate them (33% isolation in effusions).
- Pathogenic microorganisms (Hemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus pneumoniae) were isolated from 12% of effusions, unaffected by cleansing.
Conclusions:
- Ear canal cleansing offers partial benefit in reducing non-pathogenic bacterial load in S.O.M.
- Cleansing does not impact the presence of pathogenic bacteria in middle-ear effusions.
- Further strategies are needed to address pathogenic bacterial involvement in pediatric S.O.M.