In vitro bacterial interference in the nasopharynx of otitis media-prone and non-otitis media-prone children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the frequency of recovery of potential pathogens and aerobic- and anaerobic-interfering bacteria in the nasopharynx of otitis media-prone (OMP) with that in non-OMP (N-OMP) children.


METHODS
Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from 20 OMP and 20 N-OMP children. Potential pathogens and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with interfering capabilities against these organisms were identified.


RESULTS
Eighteen potential pathogens were isolated from 12 of the 20 OMP children, and 9 were recovered from 5 of the 20 N-OMP children (P<.05). Fifty-eight aerobic and anaerobic isolates with interfering capability against 4 potential pathogens were recovered from 5 of the OMP group, and 139 from 17 of the N-OMP group (P<.05). These interfering organisms included alphahemolytic streptococci, nonhemolytic streptococci, Prevotella species, and Peptostreptococcus species.


CONCLUSIONS
The nasopharyngeal flora of N-OMP children contains more aerobic and anaerobic organisms with interfering capability and less potential pathogens than that of OMP children.
Brook
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Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
Gober
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AE
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003289:Convalescence; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections