[Bacterial implication in otitis media with effusion in the childhood].
OBJECTIVE
Our main aim is to analyze the bacterial involvement in otitis media with effusion (OME) and its effect on antimicrobial therapy.


METHODS
A prospective study is carried out on a total of 70 children from 1 to 12 years of age distributed in 2 groups: the first is a control group of 30 healthy children and the second group comprises 40 children with OME. The surgical samples obtained from the middle ear were processed for bacterial analysis.


RESULTS
In 72.5 % of OMEs, the bacterial cultures were positive. The micro-organisms isolated were: Alloiococcus otitidis (48.27 %), followed by Haemophilus influenzae not serotype B (17.24 %), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 2), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 1).


CONCLUSIONS
In the healthy ear, the ear cavity is sterile. In most OMEs, bacteria such as Alloiococcus otitidis are identified. Knowing which bacterium is involved is essential for the prognosis and treatment of otitis media with effusion, as the high frequency of its presentation may be linked to the aetiology and/or course of the process in many patients.
de Miguel Martínez
Isabel
I
Servicio de Microbiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Maternoinfantil de Gran Canaria, Universidad de Las Palmas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España. imigmar@gobiernodecanarias.org
Ramos Macías
Angel
A
Masgoret Palau
Elisabeth
E
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents