New patterns in the otopathogens causing acute otitis media six to eight years after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
To describe NP and AOM otopathogens during the time frame 2007 to 2009, 6 to 8 years after the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV7) in the United States and to compare nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization and acute otitis media (AOM) microbiology in children 6 to 36 months of age having first and second AOM episodes with children who are otitis prone.


METHODS
Prospectively, the microbiology of NP colonization and AOM episodes was determined in 120 children with absent or infrequent AOM episodes. NP samples were collected at 7 routine visits between 6 and 30 months of age and at the time of AOM. For first and subsequent AOM episodes, middle ear fluid (MEF) was obtained by tympanocentesis. Eighty otitis prone children were comparatively studied. All 200 children received age-appropriate doses of PCV7.


RESULTS
We found PCV7 serotypes were virtually absent: (0.9% isolated from both NP and MEF) in both study groups. However, non-PCV7 serotypes replaced PCV serotypes such that the frequency of isolation of S. pneumoniae (Spn) was nearly equal to that of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). M. catarrhalis (Mcat) was less common and Staphylococcus aureus infrequent in the NP and MEF from the 2 groups. The proportion of Spn, NTHi and Mcat causing AOM was similar in children with first and second AOM episodes compared to otitis prone children. However, oxacillin-resistant Spn isolated from the NP and MEF was 19% for the absent/infrequent and 58% for the otitis prone groups, P < 0.0001. Beta-lactamase producing NTHi occurred more frequently in the otitis prone group, P = 0.04.


CONCLUSIONS
Six to 8 years after widespread use of PCV7, Spn strains expressing vaccine-type serotypes have virtually disappeared from the NP and MEF of vaccinated children. NP colonization and AOM has changed to non-PCV7 strains of Spn. NTHi continues to be a major AOM pathogen. The otopathogens in first and second AOM and in otitis prone children are very similar although Spn and NTHi are more often antibiotic resistant in the otitis prone.
Casey
Janet R
JR
Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
Adlowitz
Diana G
DG
Pichichero
Michael E
ME
D000208:Acute Disease; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000069443:Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D045828:Moraxellaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000069443:Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines