How common is otogenic meningitis? A retrospective study in southern Sweden over 18 years.

Background: Bacterial meningitis is a rare, but life-threatening disease, which sometimes occurs as a complication to acute otitis media (AOM). The proportion of meningitis cases originating from AOM is not clear.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the proportion of meningitis cases caused by AOM, to compare risk factors, bacteriology and outcome between otogenic and non-otogenic meningitis, and to analyse the incidence of bacterial meningitis after the introduction of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines (PCV).

Panel 1: Epidemiology and global health, including child development, sequelae and complications.

Objective: To summarise the published research evidence on the epidemiology of otitis media, including the risk factors and sequelae associated with this condition.

Data Sources: Medline (PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library covering the period from 2019 to June 1st 2023.

Review Methods: We conducted a broad search strategy using otitis [Medical Subject Heading] combined with text words to identify relevant articles on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, complications, and sequelae for acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic suppurative otitis media.

Hearing loss after bacterial meningitis, a retrospective study.

Background: Hearing loss is a common sequela after bacterial meningitis, but risk factors for this are poorly studied, particularly in relation to concurrent acute otitis media (AOM).

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate incidence and risk factors for hearing loss in patients treated for bacterial meningitis.

Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records for patients admitted to hospital with bacterial meningitis in Skåne county, Sweden, between 2000 and 2017 were retrieved.

Nasopharyngeal cultures in children with AOM - A retrospective study on bacteriological findings and impact on management.

Background: Despite a far from perfect correlation with middle ear growth, nasopharyngeal cultures are sometimes used in children with acute otitis media (AOM) in order to have some idea of the causative pathogen. How these cultures are used in clinical practice and to what extent they influence clinical management has not previously been studied. The objective with this study was to investigate in what circumstances nasopharyngeal cultures are performed in children with AOM, what the bacteriological results are and to what extent cultures influence clinical management.

Panel 1: Biotechnology, biomedical engineering and new models of otitis media.

Objective: To summarize recently published key articles on the topics of biomedical engineering, biotechnology and new models in relation to otitis media (OM).

Data Sources: Electronic databases: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library and Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing).

Review Methods: Articles on biomedical engineering, biotechnology, material science, mechanical and animal models in OM published between May 2015 and May 2019 were identified and subjected to review.

Nasopharyngeal cultures in children; when, what and why?

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal cultures are commonly used to determine the causative bacteria in upper airway infections. However, several bacteria can occupy the nasopharynx simultaneously and most healthy children are asymptomatic carriers of presumptive pathogens. This makes the interpretation of nasopharyngeal cultures difficult.

Quality of life in Swedish children receiving grommets - An analysis of pre- and postoperative results based on a national quality register.

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) and recurrent otitis media (rAOM) are two common diagnoses in childhood, both of which are treated with grommets, or ventilation tubes. It is known that affected children have a worse quality of life (QoL), and various questionnaires have been used to evaluate this. The national Swedish quality register for grommet insertions contains some QoL questions that have hitherto never been analysed.

The Swedish grommet register - Hearing results and adherence to guidelines.

Objectives: The insertion of grommets is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in children. The underlying reason might be otitis media with effusion (OME) with concomitant hearing loss, recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) or a combination of the two. Sweden has a national quality register for children receiving grommets with the purpose of evaluating how treatment guidelines are followed, and if surgery confers good quality health care.

Trends in Otitis Media Incidence After Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccination: A National Observational Study.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced in 2000. The first 7-valent vaccine (PCV7) was followed by a 13-valent vaccine (PCV13) with the same conjugate, and a 10-valent vaccine (PCV10), conjugated to protein D from Haemophilus influenzae. The vaccines offer some protection against pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM), and, with PCV10, possibly also some protection against H.

Panel 7: Otitis Media: Treatment and Complications.

Objective We aimed to summarize key articles published between 2011 and 2015 on the treatment of (recurrent) acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, tympanostomy tube otorrhea, chronic suppurative otitis media and complications of otitis media, and their implications for clinical practice. Data Sources PubMed, Ovid Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing). Review Methods All types of articles related to otitis media treatment and complications between June 2011 and March 2015 were identified.

Individual-level effects of antibiotics on colonizing otitis pathogens in the nasopharynx.

Background: Although there is evidence of an association between antibiotic consumption and resistant bacteria on a population level, the relationship on an individual level has been less well studied, particularly in terms of nasopharyngeal colonization. We have therefore analysed this association, using data from a closely followed cohort of children taking part in a vaccination trial.

Methods: 109 children with early onset of acute otitis media (AOM) were randomised to heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) or no vaccination.

Acute otitis media in children-current treatment and prevention.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial infection in children and has a very varied clinical spectrum, ranging from spontaneous resolutions to serious complications. The effect of antibiotics in AOM depends on the chosen outcome, but has been shown to reduce pain somewhat, and have a greater beneficial effect in severe cases of AOM. Today, not all episodes of AOM are treated with antibiotics, but most countries have issued guidelines that include an option of watchful waiting in many cases.

Effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on nasopharyngeal carriage in children with early onset of acute otitis media - a randomized controlled trial.

Conclusion: Although children vaccinated with heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) had fewer episodes of acute otitis media (AOM), this trial was unable to prove a simultaneous decrease in nasopharyngeal carriage.

Objective: Carriage rates of AOM pathogens in the nasopharynx are high among children, and colonization is the first step towards infection. The possible impact of PCV on carriage is therefore of interest, particularly in children with recurrent AOM.

Immunologic findings in young children with early onset of acute otitis media.

Conclusion: No significant differences in the number of immune aberrations were seen between children with or without severe recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM); however, subnormal values of immunological markers were found more often than expected, and 4 of the 60 children had treatment-requiring immune deficiencies.

Objective: Minor immunologic aberrations have been reported to be more frequent in children with rAOM. Immune investigation is recommended in children with severe rAOM, defined as six or more AOM episodes per year.

The importance of being specific--a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of antibiotics in acute otitis media.

Background: Whether acute otitis media (AOM) should be the cause for antibiotic treatment has been a matter of debate during the last decades. Treatment guidelines are based on less than twenty trials that have found the effect of antibiotics on symptomatic outcomes in AOM, such as pain, to be very modest. Two recent trials found a more substantial effect of antibiotics when they looked at treatment failure as the outcome.

Risk factors for carriage of AOM pathogens during the first 3 years of life in children with early onset of acute otitis media.

Conclusion: Risk factors associated with increased carriage rates are the same in children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) as in healthy children. These are also known to be risk factors for the development of AOM itself.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for nasopharyngeal carriage in a cohort of young children at high risk of developing rAOM.

Pneumococcal vaccination in children at risk of developing recurrent acute otitis media - a randomized study.

Aim: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood disease, which often becomes recurrent (rAOM). A small reduction in AOM episodes has been noted in unselected child cohorts after vaccination with heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7). The purpose of this study was to investigate how vaccination affects young children at risk of developing rAOM.

The Binax NOW test as a tool for diagnosis of severe acute otitis media and associated complications.

The diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM) is often difficult, depending heavily on the experience and skills of the examiner. However, it is important to identify episodes of AOM that involve the risk of complications and to treat these episodes appropriately. The present study was performed in order to evaluate the use of a rapid antigen assay for Streptococcus pneumoniae, the Binax NOW test, as a diagnostic tool in patients with severe AOM and associated complications.