Abstract
Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) can cause serious complications such as hearing impairment or development delays. The aim of the study was to assess the microbiological profile of organisms responsible for OME and to determine if a biofilm formation can be observed. Methods: Ninety-nine samples from 76 patients aged from 6 months to 12 years were collected for microbiological and molecular studies. Results: In microbiological studies, pathogenic bacteria Haemophilus influenzae (38.89%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (33.33%), and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA (27.78%), as well as opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus spp. (74.14%), Diphtheroids (20.69%), Streptococcus viridans (3.45%), and Neisseria spp. (1.72%) were found. The average degree of hearing loss in the group of children with positive bacterial culture was 35.9 dB, while in the group with negative bacterial culture it was 25.9 dB (p = 0.0008). The type of cultured bacteria had a significant impact on the degree of hearing impairment in children (p = 0.0192). In total, 37.5% of Staphylococcus spp. strains were able to form biofilm. Conclusions: Staphylococcus spp. in OME may form biofilms, which can explain the chronic character of the disease. Pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of OME. The degree of hearing loss was significantly higher in patients from which the positive bacterial cultures were obtained.
Highlights
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the middle ear without general symptoms of acute infection
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction confirmed the presence of bacteria in the exudate collected from the middle ear of patients with OME
Bacterial DNA was confirmed in 19 cases (19.19%), while in the nested reaction, it was found in 42 cases (42.42%)
Summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the middle ear without general symptoms of acute infection. The disease is characterized by the presence of fluid in the tympanic cavity and conductive hearing loss. OME is one of the most common diseases in childhood. One-third of them will have the attack without notice; it is called “silent” otitis media and can impair their hearing secretly [1]. It is the most common cause of hearing loss in the pediatric population, which may adversely affect the development of speech as well as linguistic and cognitive abilities [2]
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