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[Bacteriologic study of 80 cases of acute otitis media in children]

F del Castillo1, M I Barrio Gómez, A García

  • 1Departamento de Pediatría (FCM, MIBGA), Hospital Infantil de la Seguridad Social La Paz, Madrid.

Abstract

Insights

The most common causes of acute otitis media (AOM) in children were identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. This study analyzed 80 pediatric cases to understand common pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology of otitis media

Background:

  • The etiology of acute otitis media (AOM) in children remains largely unknown in our region.
  • This study investigated the common causative pathogens in pediatric AOM cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the most frequent bacterial pathogens responsible for acute otitis media in children.
  • To establish an etiological profile for AOM in the studied pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty healthy children diagnosed with AOM between June 1989 and March 1992 were enrolled.
  • Tympanocentesis was performed using an Abbocath-20G needle and sterile syringe for sample collection.

Main Results:

  • Pathogens were isolated in 58 patients (72.5%); 22 (27.5%) had sterile cultures or normal external canal flora.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in 32.5% of cases, and Haemophilus influenzae in 28.7%.
  • Other identified pathogens included S. pyogenes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and anaerobes; M. catarrhalis was not detected.

Conclusions:

  • Pathogens were isolated in a significant majority (72.5%) of the 80 children with AOM.
  • The primary etiological agents identified were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

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