Microbiology of otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review

Abstract

Most studies have used culture-based methods and specimens from middle-ear discharge or the nasopharynx. Findings from these studies are consistent with international literature, but reliance on culture may incorrectly characterise the microbiology of this condition. Advances in genomic technologies are now providing microbiologists with the ability to analyse the entire mixed bacterial communities ('microbiomes') of samples obtained from Indigenous children with otitis media.

Characterization of the nasopharyngeal and middle ear microbiota in gastroesophageal reflux-prone versus gastroesophageal reflux non-prone children

“…and Turicella spp. in nasopharyngeal swabs from any of the children with positive ear MEF samples suggests that they are unlikely to be primary otopathogens in this population, since nasopharyngeal colonization is considered to be the antecedent of OM [ 30 ]. To better understand the potential role of Alloiococcus spp.…”

Panel 7 – Pathogenesis of otitis media – a review of the literature between 2015 and 2019

“…However, in other areas H. influenzae and pneumococci are equally common [67,86] or H. influenzae is predominant [87]. With the introduction of the PCV vaccines, H. influenzae has emerged as the main otopathogen associated with AOM in many studies [88][89][90][91][92] and this change of microflora has also resulted in an increased detection of S. aureus and S. pyogenes in these children [87,93]. Although pneumococcal detection during AOM has decreased, two observations need to be taken into account.…”

“…Although pneumococci and H. influenzae are commonly detected [11,94], other species often predominate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus are commonly detected together with the emerging pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes, Alloiococcus otitidis, and Turicella otitidis that have been detected in more recent studies [89,[94][95][96].…”

“…This is partly due to the increased use of PCR techniques over culture for detection that has led to this slow-growing organism being detected at significantly higher levels [95,97]. It is particularly prevalent in samples from patients with OME, where it can be detected in 55-80% of MEF samples [89,95], but is also detected in some patients with AOM [88,89,98]. A. otitidis was previously found to cause OM in a rat model and has more recently been shown to form single and polymicrobial biofilms with other otopathogens [97].…”

The microbiology of ear cultures in a high‐burden setting in tropical Australia: Implications for clinicians

“…The microbiology of ear infections in Australia has been described, but there are relatively few data from tropical Australia, where the burden of disease is higher. Importantly, no recent studies have been undertaken in the context of evolving antimicrobial resistance.…”