Middle ear fluid Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution in Costa Rican children with otitis media.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugate vaccine became available in Costa Rica in 2004. Previous S. pneumoniae middle ear fluid (MEF) data obtained during the period 1999-2001 from Costa Rican children indicated that serotype 19F was the most common type (75%), but more recently other serotypes have become more prevalent.

In vitro activities of levofloxacin and comparable agents against middle ear fluid, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal pathogens obtained from Costa Rican children with recurrent otitis media or failing other antibiotic therapy.

This study analyzes the in vitro activities of levofloxacin and other commonly used antimicrobials against middle ear fluid, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal pathogens obtained from children with otitis media at risk of having a resistant pathogen. Levofloxacin proved to be very active against these pathogens and had intermediate activity against Streptococcus pyogenes.