Low dose macrolide administration for long term is effective for otitis media with effusion in children.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical effect and possible mechanism of macrolides on otitis media with effusion in children.


METHODS
Children with otitis media with effusion were recruited and prescribed for macrolides according to a designed scheme, and followed up for 8-12 weeks. Middle ear effusion samples were collected from the participants to assess the presence of biofilm.


RESULTS
Macrolides were found to have significant effect on the therapy of early stage otitis media with effusion for 88.7-92.5% of participants compared with 50.9-60.3% in control group after 8-12 weeks. Almost 72.1% of chronic otitis media with effusion patients recovered after an 8 weeks' course low dose macrolides prescription. Biofilm occurred in 30.8% (4/13) of middle ear effusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that macrolides are effective for otitis media with effusion in children. Bacterial biofilm may play an important role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
Kaitian
K
Chen
Xuan
X
Wu
Guangli
G
Jiang
Jintao
J
Du
Hongyan
H
Jiang
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018441:Biofilms; D001844:Bone Conduction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin