Nasal Bacterial Load and Otitis Media in Aboriginal Children
Author Information
Author(s): Heidi Smith-Vaughan, Roy Byun, Mangala Nadkarni, Nicholas A Jacques, Neil Hunter, Stephen Halpin, Peter S Morris, Amanda J Leach
Primary Institution: Menzies School of Health Research
Hypothesis
A high nasal bacterial load is an important determinant in the progression of children to suppurative otitis media.
Conclusion
Nasal bacterial load was significantly higher among Aboriginal children and may explain their increased risk of suppurative otitis media.
Supporting Evidence
- Aboriginal children had a much lower prevalence of no OM and a higher prevalence of OME and suppurative OM than non-Aboriginal children.
- Positive correlations between bacterial load and ear state were observed.
- The increased bacterial load may predict persistence of middle ear effusions and progression to suppurative OM.
Takeaway
This study found that Aboriginal children have more bacteria in their noses, which might make them more likely to get ear infections.
Methodology
Nasal swabs were collected from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, and bacterial loads were measured using colony counts and real-time quantitative PCR.
Limitations
The study was limited by the available sampling technology that made it necessary to assume that counts per swab represented the burden of bacterial load in the nose.
Participant Demographics
51 Aboriginal children aged 18 to 36 months from remote communities and 52 non-Aboriginal children aged 18 to 36 months attending urban child-care centres.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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