Abstract
Alloiococcus otitidis and Turicella otitidis are common bacteria of the human ear. They have frequently been isolated from the middle ear of children with otitis media (OM), though their potential role in this disease remains unclear and confounded due to their presence as commensal inhabitants of the external auditory canal. In this review, we summarize the current literature on these organisms with an emphasis on their role in OM. Much of the literature focuses on the presence and abundance of these organisms, and little work has been done to explore their activity in the middle ear. We find there is currently insufficient evidence available to determine whether these organisms are pathogens, commensals or contribute indirectly to the pathogenesis of OM. However, building on the knowledge currently available, we suggest future approaches aimed at providing stronger evidence to determine whether A. otitidis and T. otitidis are involved in the pathogenesis of OM. Such evidence will increase our understanding of the microbial risk factors contributing to OM and may lead to novel treatment approaches for severe and recurrent disease.
Highlights
Otitis media (OM) is a polymicrobial disease most common in young children, characterized by inflammation of the middle ear and the presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane
Our summary of the literature available at the time of writing suggests that A. otitidis and T. otitidis are primarily organisms of the human ear
Current evidence suggests that A. otitidis and T. otitidis in MEF may originate from the EAC as they are uncommonly found in the nasopharynx
Summary
Otitis media (OM) is a polymicrobial disease most common in young children, characterized by inflammation of the middle ear and the presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane. Three major bacterial pathogens are known to be involved in OM (known as otopathogens); Streptococcus pneumoniae, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), and Moraxella catarrhalis These otopathogens are frequently detected in middle ear fluid (MEF) from both children with OME and with AOM (Bluestone et al, 1992). Both Alloiococcus and Turicella were first isolated by culture from the MEF of children with OM, prompting suggestions of their association with the disease (Faden and Dryja, 1989; Funke et al, 1993; Simonet et al, 1993) This is the primary niche from which these organisms have since been consistently detected, though they have not been studied as extensively as the three major otopathogen species. Of the 16 studies summarized in Table 1 that have reported the prevalence A. otitidis, S. pneumoniae, NTHi, and M. catarrhalis by species-specific PCR, A. otitidis was detected more frequently than each of the major otopathogens in 9 of them (for two of these studies, in non-purulent fluid only). If A. otitidis is involved in the pathogenesis of OM, it may directly cause disease or it may contribute by supporting the main otopathogens in some way
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
