Bacteriology of acute otitis media in adults
Article Abstract:
Acute otitis media (AOM), or infection of the middle ear, is a common childhood illness that occurs less frequently with increasing age. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae cause more than half the cases of AOM, but other organisms may also be involved. Physicians have believed that S. pneumoniae is the predominant cause of ear infections in older patients. However, there is evidence that H. influenzae, which causes adult sinusitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis, is a significant cause of adult ear infections. Accurate definition of the cause of AOM determines the choice of treatment, which is aimed at relieving the infection and avoiding complications while minimizing the cost of therapy. To determine the causes of AOM among adults and to define the best therapy, cultures were obtained from the ears of 34 adult patients with AOM. H. influenzae accounted for 26 percent of the infections, and S. pneumoniae for 21 percent of the infections. Only one of the four patients over 45 years tested positive for S. pneumoniae, while none of the patients in this age group tested positive for H. influenzae. According to the results of this study, the ideal therapy for AOM should provide coverage against these two pathogens as well as additional gram-positive organisms. Amoxicillin, which is inexpensive and covers most of the likely organisms, is recommended for adults. Additional medications for patients who respond poorly to treatment or are at high risk for complications are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Direct detection of bacterial biofilms on the middle-ear mucosa of children with chronic otitis media
Article Abstract:
A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that chronic otitis media (OM) in humans is biofilm related. Direct detection of biofilms on middle-ear mucosa biopsy specimens from children with otitis media with effusion and recurrent OM supports the hypothesis that these chronic middle-ear disorders are biofilm related.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2006
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Emergence of a multiresistant serotype 19A Pneumococcal strain not included in the 7-valent conjugate vaccines as an otopathogen in children
Article Abstract:
The study aims to monitor the shifts in the strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that cause acute otitis media (AOM) in children. The results show that the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and the 19A serotype proved successful in the treatment of the infections.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2007
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Combination of laser-therapy with 0.5 Idoxuridine cream in the treatment of therapy-resistant genital warts in male patients: an open study
- Abstracts: Pneumococcal vaccine: efficacy and associated cost savings. Emergence of antimicrobial-resistant serotype 19A streptococcus pneumoniae - Massachusetts, 2001-2006
- Abstracts: The use of anatomically correct dolls in the evaluation of sexually abused children. Medical evaluation of abused and neglected children
- Abstracts: Induction of labor with pulsatile oxytocin. Labor induction with dinoprostone or oxytocine and postpartum disseminated intravascular coagulation: A hospital-based case-control study
- Abstracts: Nausea prophylaxis using transdermal scopolamine in the setting of patient-controlled analgesia. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia during labor