title: Microbiology of chronic otitis media with effusion among Australian Aboriginal children: role of Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: Serum, eye secretions, post-nasal swabs, external ear swabs and middle ear effusions (MEE) were collected from 131 Australian Aboriginal children with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). The children were all resident in a trachoma endemic region. Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from the MEE of 2 children. Probable bacterial pathogens were isolated from 34 (12.7%) ears. The remainder were sterile (52.4%) or contained normal skin flora (34.9%). Serum and secretions were examined by the microimmunofluorescent technique for the presence, titre and serotype of anti-chlamydial antibody. Antibody, predominantly of the C serotype, was found in a high percentage of sera (80%) and secretions (approximately 50%). This serotype is associated with ocular trachoma. It is concluded that C. trachomatis is associated with COME among some Aboriginal children in this trachoma endemic area.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial