Otitis media: viruses, bacteria, biofilms and vaccines.
Med J Aust
; 191(S9): S44-9, 2009 11 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19883356
ABSTRACT
Otitis media typically presents as either acute otitis media (AOM), with symptoms including fever, otalgia, otorrhoea or irritability and short duration; or as otitis media with effusion (OME), which is often asymptomatic and characterised by accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. Diagnostic certainty of otitis media is challenging, given the young age of patients and variability of symptoms. Otitis media predominantly occurs as coincident to viral upper respiratory tract infections and/or bacterial infections. Common viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infection are frequently associated with AOM and new-onset OME. These include respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Predominant bacteria that cause otitis media are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. Antibiotic therapy does not significantly benefit most patients with AOM, but long-term prophylactic antibiotic therapy can reduce the risk of otitis media recurrence among children at high risk. In Australia, 84% of AOM is treated with antibiotic therapy, which contributes to development of antibiotic resistance. Vaccine development is a key future direction for reducing the world burden of otitis media, but requires polymicrobial formulation and ongoing monitoring and modification to ensure sustained reduction in disease burden.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Otitis Media
/
Nasopharyngeal Diseases
/
Biofilms
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Med J Aust
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia