Nasopharyngeal colonization with nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and recurrent otitis media. Tonawanda/Williamsville Pediatrics.
The relationship between nasopharyngeal colonization with nontypeable H. influenzae and recurrent otitis media was assessed in 157 children followed prospectively from birth through 12 months of age. Forty-nine (31%) became colonized. Nasopharyngeal secretory IgA (sIgA) reactive with the P6 outer membrane protein was detected in all colonized children. Reduction or elimination of the organism was associated with a better mucosal immune response (560 +/- 864 units/ng/mL of sIgA) than was persistence in the nasopharynx (121 +/- 81; P = .04). Forty colonized children (82%) and 61 noncolonized children (56%) developed otitis media (P = .004); colonized children were four times more likely to be classified as otitis prone (P = .003). The frequency of otitis media episodes was directly related to the frequency of colonization (r = .42, P < .01). These results demonstrate a strong relationship between nasopharyngeal colonization patterns and otitis media. The mucosal immune response may be important in elimination of potential pathogens from the respiratory tract.
Harabuchi
Y
Y
Department of Otolaryngology, Sapporo Medical College, Japan.
Faden
H
H
Yamanaka
N
N
Duffy
L
L
Wolf
J
J
Krystofik
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012008:Recurrence
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory