Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Haemophilus Influenzae in Nasal Cultures During Acute Otitis Media

Abstract

Middle ear fluid (MEF) aspirates and nasal swabs of children with acute otitis media (n = 255, age 2-6 yr) were cultured by standard bacteriological methods. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis and latex agglutination were applied to detect pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens (Pn-ag) in the MEF. When the nasal culture grew S. pneumoniae (Pn), Pn was also present in 49% (73/148) and Pn-ag in 64% of the MEF cultures. If H. influenzae (Hi) appeared in the nasal culture, Hi was present in 41% (25/61) of the MEF. There was a negative correlation between the growth of Pn or Hi in the nasal culture and the presence of other bacteria in the MEF. In spite of these correlations, the nasal culture was concluded not to be useful in predicting the MEF bacteria.