title: Antibiotic resistance in pathogens causing acute otitis media in Finnish children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microbiology and susceptibility of middle ear pathogens in children change over time and antibiotic resistance is increasing globally. For the clinicians it is important to be up to date about the resistance situation when considering antibiotic treatment in acute otitis media (AOM). In this study we analysed the resistance profile of AOM pathogens in out-patient children in Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 culture positive middle ear fluid (MEF) samples were analysed for bacteria and the presence of antibiotic resistant strains. The samples were obtained from children aged six - 39 months who participated in the otitis media trial during one year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common pathogen was Haemophilus influenzae 17 (40%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae in 15 (35%) and Moraxella catarrhalis in 8 (19%). Other pathogens were detected in 3 (7%) of cases. Antibiotic resistance or diminished sensitivity was seen in 63% of the detected bacteria and 28% of pathogens produced beta-lactamase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotic resistant bacterial strains causing AOM have increased in Finland. Nevertheless, most of the pathogens (72%) were sensitive to amoxicillin, which is still recommended as the first line antibiotic in the treatment of AOM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: saara.sillanpaa@uta.fi.
authors.forename: Saara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sillanpää
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sipilä
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland; Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hyöty
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rautiainen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laranne
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin
keywords: Acute otitis media; Antibiotic resistance; Bacterial pathogens; Middle ear fluid