The Nasopharyngeal Microflora of Otitis-Prone Children, With Emphasis on H. Influenzae

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Abstract
The nasopharyngeal microflora was monitored during a prospective study of 52 otitis-prone children and 33 age-matched controls up to the age of 30 mo. The relationship between nasopharyngeal culture results and corresponding otoscopic findings was investigated. In contrast to pneumococci, the rate of H. influenzae isolation correlated with the degree of otologic disease; thus, it was found more often in connection with AOM [acute purulent otitis media] than with a normal tologic status, with otitis media with effusion in an intermediate position. Also in contrast to pneumococci, in children with AOM, H. influenzae was more common in the otitis-prone group than in the control group. H. influenzae biotype II was found in 77% in association with AOM in the control group. In the otitis-prone group the difference in frequency of biotypes I, II and III causing AOM were less pronounced. Turnover of H. influenzae strains as judged by change in biotype occurred more often in connection with treatments with penicillin V than treatments with amoxicillin.