Recovery of Potential Pathogens and Interfering Bacteria in the Nasopharynx of Otitis Media–Prone Children and Their Smoking and Nonsmoking Parents

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Abstract
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections in adults1 and also with oral colonization by some potentially pathogenic species of bacteria.2-4 In children, exposure to cigarette smoke is a risk factor for respiratory tract infections, including otitis media4 and meningococcal meningitis.5 Active smoking and passive exposure to cigarette smoke are also associated with carriage of some potentially pathogenic bacteria in both adults and children.6 This has been explained by (1) enhanced bacterial binding to epithelial cells of smokers7 and (2) the low number of alpha-hemolytic streptococci with inhibitory activity against Streptococcus pyogenes in the oral cavity of smokers.8 However, the rate of colonization with other aerobic and anaerobic organisms with interfering capabilities has not been evaluated. Furthermore, to our knowledge, the frequency of recovery of potential pathogens and interfering bacteria in the nasopharynx of pairs of otitis media–prone (OMP) children and their smoking parents has not been studied. The purpose of the present study was to compare the frequency of isolation of potential pathogens and aerobic and anaerobic interfering bacteria in the posterior nasopharynx of OMP children and their smoking parents (smoking group) with the isolation rate in OMP children and their nonsmoking parents (nonsmoking group).
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