Microbiology of acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes.

Abstract

The objective was to determine the types of organisms which cause acute otitis media with a tympanostomy tube and to ascertain their frequency distribution. Prospective, randomized, multi-institutional clinical trials. Both private and academic sites were included. 1309 isolates were recovered from 956 draining ears. Streptococcus pneumonia was recovered from 17%, Staphylococcus aureus from 13%, H flu from 18% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 12%. Fungal organisms were recovered from 5% of total isolates and 4% from single isolates. AOMT is microbiologically different than AOM with an intact TM. There is no evidence that resistance develops as result of topical treatment. The study demonstrates that AOMT is frequently caused by organisms not susceptible to oral antibiotics approved for children, but which are sensitive to topical ear drops.