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Bacterial colonization of pacifiers of infants with acute otitis media
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Pacifiers used by children with acute otitis media showed low bacterial counts, with common bacteria like streptococci and Staphylococcus identified. The pacifier material demonstrated antibacterial properties, suggesting pacifiers are unlikely to be a major source of persistent microbial transfer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood infection.
- The role of pacifiers in the transmission of microorganisms, particularly in relation to AOM, requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and quantity of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria on pacifiers used by children diagnosed with AOM.
- To assess the in vitro antibacterial activity of the pacifier material.
Main Methods:
- Swabs were taken from 40 recently used pacifiers after a brief drying period.
- Swabs were quantitatively processed to identify and count aerobic bacteria.
- In vitro tests were conducted to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the pacifier material.
Main Results:
- Microorganisms were isolated from 52.5% of the pacifiers, with an average of six colonies per pacifier.
- Common isolates included alpha-haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida albicans, Neisseria spp., and Staphylococcus aureus.
- The pacifier material exhibited inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Pacifiers used by children with AOM harbor relatively low numbers of microorganisms.
- The pacifier material possesses inherent antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus.
- Pacifiers are unlikely to be a significant source for the persistence or transfer of microorganisms in this context.
Abstract:
The presence of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria on the surface of pacifiers used by children with acute otitis media was investigated. The surface of 40 recently used pacifiers was swabbed after they were allowed to dry for five to six minutes. The swabs were processed quantitatively for the presence of aerobic bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the pacifier material was tested in vitro. Microorganisms were isolated from 21 (52.5 per cent) pacifiers. The number of colonies per pacifier varied between one and 35 (average six). The isolates included eight alpha-haemolytic streptococci, six Staphylococcus epidermis, five Candida albicans, five alpha-haemolytic streptococci, three Neisseria spp. and two Staphylococcus aureus. The pacifier material was shown to be inhibitory against S. aureus. This study illustrated that pacifiers do not contain high numbers of organisms and therefore are not likely to serve as a source of persistence of transfer of organisms.