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The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Dec 2019New insights into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of acute otitis media (AOM) have been gained in recent years. For this reason, the Italian Paediatric Society...
BACKGROUND
New insights into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of acute otitis media (AOM) have been gained in recent years. For this reason, the Italian Paediatric Society has updated its 2010 guidelines.
METHODS
A literature search was carried out on PubMed. Only pediatric studies published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 in English or Italian were included. Each included study was assessed according to the GRADE methodology. The quality of the systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2. The recommendations were formulated by a multidisciplinary panel of experts.
RESULTS
Prompt antibiotic treatment is recommended for children with otorrhea, intracranial complications and/or a history of recurrence and for children under the age of 6 months. For children 6 months to 2 years of age, prompt antibiotic treatment is recommended for all forms of unilateral and bilateral AOM, whether mild or severe. Prompt antibiotic treatment is also recommended for children over 2 years with severe bilateral AOM. A watchful-waiting approach can be applied to children over 2 years with mild or severe unilateral AOM or mild bilateral AOM. High doses of amoxicillin, or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for patients with a high risk of infection by Beta-lactamase producing strains, remain the first-line antibiotics.
CONCLUSIONS
AOM should be managed on a case-by-case basis that takes account of the child's age, the severity of the episode and whether it is unilateral or bilateral. In patients under 2 years, prompt antibiotic treatment is always recommended.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Italy; Otitis Media; Pediatrics
PubMed: 31876601
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002452 -
Auris, Nasus, Larynx Aug 2023Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable otitis media with highly viscous middle ear effusion and is usually associated with bronchial asthma. Since the... (Review)
Review
Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable otitis media with highly viscous middle ear effusion and is usually associated with bronchial asthma. Since the diagnostic criteria of EOM were established in 2011, the concept of EOM has been known worldwide. EOM is caused by Type 2 inflammation in the respiratory tract, similar to bronchial asthma and eosinophilic rhinosinusitis. With the appreciation of Type 2 inflammatory diseases, EOM is no longer considered to be a rare disease and should be specifically treated to improve quality of life. The diagnosis of EOM needs to be reconsidered because many reports have described varying pathogenesis and mechanisms of rare middle ear conditions. Systemic and topical administration of corticosteroids is presently the most effective treatment to control EOM. However, EOM treatments are developing because various biologics have been used to treat patients with bronchial asthma with and without eosinophilic rhinosinusitis and EOM. Surgical intervention is also no longer contraindicated with the use of biologics. These advances represent the beginning of a new stage of basic and clinical research for EOM. This review focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of EOM based on the most recent advances regarding EOM.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Eosinophilia; Otitis Media; Otitis Media with Effusion; Asthma; Sinusitis
PubMed: 36528403
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2022.11.004 -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Jun 2021The nasopharyngeal microbiome is a dynamic microbial interface of the aerodigestive tract, and a diagnostic window in the fight against respiratory infections and... (Review)
Review
The nasopharyngeal microbiome is a dynamic microbial interface of the aerodigestive tract, and a diagnostic window in the fight against respiratory infections and antimicrobial resistance. As its constituent bacteria, viruses and mycobacteria become better understood and sampling accuracy improves, diagnostics of the nasopharynx could guide more personalized care of infections of surrounding areas including the lungs, ears and sinuses. This review will summarize the current literature from a clinical perspective and highlight its growing importance in diagnostics and infectious disease management.
Topics: Drug Resistance, Microbial; Environment; Humans; Microbiota; Mycobacterium; Nasopharynx; Otitis Media; Virome
PubMed: 34165422
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001368 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2021The causes of otitis media (OM) involve bacterial and viral infection, anatomo-physiological abnormalities of the Eustachian canal and nasopharynx, allergic rhinitis,... (Review)
Review
The causes of otitis media (OM) involve bacterial and viral infection, anatomo-physiological abnormalities of the Eustachian canal and nasopharynx, allergic rhinitis, group childcare centers, second-hand smoking, obesity, immaturity and defects of the immune system, formula feeding, sex, race, and age. OM is accompanied by complex and diverse interactions among bacteria, viruses, inflammatory cells, immune cells, and epithelial cells. The present study summarizes the antibodies that contribute to immune reactions in all types of otitis media, including acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic otitis media with or without cholesteatoma, as well as the transcription factors that induce the production of these antibodies. The types and distribution of B cells; the functions of B cells, especially in otorhinolaryngology; antibody formation in patients with otitis media; and antibodies and related transcription factors are described. B cells have important functions in host defenses, including antigen recognition, antigen presentation, antibody production, and immunomodulation. The phenotypes of B cells in the ear, nose, and throat, especially in patients with otitis media, were shown to be CD5, CD23, CD43, B220, sIgM, sIgD, Mac-1, CD80(B7.1), CD86(B7.2), and Syndecam-1. Of the five major classes of immunoglobulins produced by B cells, three (IgG, IgA, and IgM) are mainly involved in otitis media. Serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM are lower in patients with OM with effusion (OME) than in subjects without otitis media. Moreover, IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations in the middle ear cavity are increased during immune responses in patients with otitis media. B cell leukemia/lymphoma-6 (Bcl-6) and paired box gene 5 (Pax-5) suppress antibody production, whereas B lymphocyte inducer of maturation program 1 (Blimp-1) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) promote antibody production during immune responses in patients with otitis media.
Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; B-Lymphocyte Subsets; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulins; Otitis Media; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 33801155
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063201 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Mar 2020To review and highlight significant advances made towards vaccine development and understanding of the immunology of otitis media (OM) since the 19th International... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review and highlight significant advances made towards vaccine development and understanding of the immunology of otitis media (OM) since the 19th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media (ISOM) in 2015, as well as identify future research directions and knowledge gaps.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed database, National Library of Medicine.
REVIEW METHODS
Key topics were assigned to each panel member for detailed review. Draft reviews were collated, circulated, and thoroughly discussed when the panel met at the 20th ISOM in June 2019. The final manuscript was prepared with input from all panel members.
CONCLUSIONS
Since 2015 there have been a number of studies assessing the impact of licensed pneumococcal vaccines on OM. While these studies have confirmed that these vaccines are effective in preventing carriage and/or disease caused by vaccine serotypes, OM caused by non-vaccine serotype pneumococci and other otopathogens remains a significant health care burden globally. Development of multi-species vaccines is challenging but essential to reducing the global burden of OM. Influenza vaccination has been shown to prevent acute OM, and with novel vaccines against nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), Moraxella catarrhalis and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in clinical trials, the potential to significantly prevent OM is within reach. Research into alternative vaccine delivery strategies has demonstrated the power of maternal and mucosal vaccination for OM prevention. Future OM vaccine trials must include molecular diagnostics of middle ear effusion, for detection of viruses and bacteria that are persisting in biofilms and to enable accurate assessment of vaccine impact on OM etiology. Understanding population differences in natural and vaccine-induced immune responses to otopathogens is also important for development of the most effective OM vaccines. Improved understanding of the interaction between otopathogens will also advance development of effective therapies and encourage the assessment of the indirect benefits of vaccination.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
While NTHi and M. catarrhalis are the predominant otopathogens, funding opportunities to drive vaccine development for these species are limited due to a focus on prevention of childhood mortality rather than morbidity. Delivery of a comprehensive report on the high financial and social costs of OM, including the potential for OM vaccines to reduce antibiotic use and subsequent development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), would likely assist in engaging stakeholders to recognize the value of prevention of OM and increase support for efforts on OM vaccine development. Vaccine trials with OM prevention as a clinical end-point are challenging, however a focus on developing assays that measure functional correlates of protection would facilitate OM vaccine development.
Topics: Biofilms; Haemophilus Vaccines; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Microbial Interactions; Moraxellaceae Infections; Otitis Media; Otitis Media with Effusion; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; Serogroup; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 31948716
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109839 -
Innate Immunity Oct 2022Otitis media (OM) is the most common disease among young children and one of the most frequent reasons to visit the pediatrician. Development of OM requires... (Review)
Review
Otitis media (OM) is the most common disease among young children and one of the most frequent reasons to visit the pediatrician. Development of OM requires nasopharyngeal colonization by a pathogen which must gain access to the tympanic cavity through the eustachian tube (ET) along with being able to overcome the defense mechanisms of the immune system and middle ear mucosa. OM can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. The three main bacterial pathogens are , (NTHi), and Innate immunity is important in OM resolution as the disease occurs in very young children before the development of specific immunity. Elements of innate immunity include natural barriers and pattern recognition receptors such as Toll like receptors (TLRs), and Nod like receptors (NLRs). Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) act as pattern recognition receptors and are found in the lung and many other tissues including the ET and the middle ear where they probably function in host defense. Surfactant has a potential for use in the treatment of OM due to surface tension lowering function in the ET, and the possible immune functions of SP-D and SP-A in the middle ear and ET.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; Receptors, Pattern Recognition; Otitis Media
PubMed: 36069032
DOI: 10.1177/17534259221123309 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021The global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the prevalence and management of many pediatric infectious diseases, including acute otitis media... (Review)
Review
The global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the prevalence and management of many pediatric infectious diseases, including acute otitis media (AOM). Coronaviruses are a group of RNA viruses that cause respiratory tract infections in humans. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, coronavirus serotypes OC43, 229E, HKU1, and NL63 were infrequently detected in middle ear fluid (MEF) specimens and nasopharyngeal aspirates in children with AOM during the 1990s and 2000s and were associated with a mild course of the disease. At times when CoV was detected in OM cases, the overall viral load was relatively low. The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen responsible for the eruption of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Following the pandemic declaration in many countries and by the World Health Organization in March 2020, preventive proactive measures were imposed to limit COVID-19. These included social distancing; lockdowns; closure of workplaces; kindergartens and schools; increased hygiene; use of antiseptics and alcohol-based gels; frequent temperature measurements and wearing masks. These measures were not the only ones taken, as hospitals and clinics tried to minimize treating non-urgent medical referrals such as OM, and elective surgical procedures were canceled, such as ventilating tube insertion (VTI). These changes and regulations altered the way OM is practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advents in technology allowed a vast use of telemedicine technologies for OM, however, the accuracy of AOM diagnosis in those encounters was in doubt, and antibiotic prescription rates were still reported to be high. There was an overall decrease in AOM episodes and admissions rates and with high spontaneous resolution rates of MEF in children, and a reduction in VTI surgeries. Despite an initial fear regarding viral shedding during myringotomy, the procedure was shown to be safe. Special draping techniques for otologic surgery were suggested. Other aspects of OM practice included the presentation of adult patients with AOM who tested positive for SARS-2-CoV and its detection in MEF samples in living patients and in the mucosa of the middle ear and mastoid in post-mortem specimens.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Communicable Disease Control; Humans; Otitis Media; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35071032
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.749911 -
The Journal of International Advanced... Jan 2021To describe the clinical course and outcome of a group of adults who presented with a subperiosteal abscess (SPA) MATERIALS and METHODS: A retrospective chart review of...
OBJECTIVES
To describe the clinical course and outcome of a group of adults who presented with a subperiosteal abscess (SPA) MATERIALS and METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with SPA.
RESULTS
Between 2001 and 2015, 7 such patients-5 men and 2 women-were identified. Their age ranged from 18 to 62 years. Six of them suffered from chronic otitis media (COM) and presented with signs and symptoms of otalgia, pain, and swelling around the mastoid. Five of the patients underwent a previous mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma (4- canal wall down and 1 had canal wall up). One of the non-operated patients had cholesteatoma and the other one had chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma. One patient developed peripheral facial nerve palsy that resolved after surgery, otherwise, no other intratemporal or intracranial complications were observed. Management included a canal wall down mastoidectomy, abscess drainage, and parenteral wide-spectrum antibiotics. One patient suffered cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, requiring the delay of surgery for 6 days. This patient underwent incision and drainage of the abscess before surgery. Pathogens were recognized in 4 of the patients and included Streptococcus pneumoniae, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Corynebacterium.
CONCLUSION
SPA in adults is rare but may be seen in cases of neglected COM, whether previously operated or not. Comorbidities in older population group may require postponing surgery, so immediate incision and drainage may be warranted, as well as post-surgical intensive care.
Topics: Abscess; Adolescent; Adult; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear; Female; Humans; Male; Mastoid; Middle Aged; Otitis Media; Otitis Media, Suppurative; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 33605218
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2020.8432 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Aug 2022The middle ear bone destruction in chronic otitis media is activated and regulated by inflammation. Chronic otitis media with granulation is a highly active inflammatory...
The middle ear bone destruction in chronic otitis media is activated and regulated by inflammation. Chronic otitis media with granulation is a highly active inflammatory process in which many cytokines are released. The bone is degraded by osteoclasts but, at the same time, protected by cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and osteotropic hormones. Tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and OPG/RANKL present in cholesteatoma and granulation accelerate bone lysis and increase the destructive effect on the middle ear.
Topics: Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Humans; Interleukin-1; Otitis Media; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 33090898
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320955124 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2021Otitis media is mainly caused by upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube dysfunction. If external upper respiratory tract infection is not detected early... (Review)
Review
Otitis media is mainly caused by upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube dysfunction. If external upper respiratory tract infection is not detected early in the middle ear, or an appropriate immune response does not occur, otitis media can become a chronic state or complications may occur. Therefore, given the important role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the early response to external antigens, we surveyed the role of TLRs in otitis media. To summarize the role of TLR in otitis media, we reviewed articles on the expression of TLRs in acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), chronic otitis media (COM) with cholesteatoma, and COM without cholesteatoma. Many studies showed that TLRs 1-10 are expressed in AOM, OME, COM with cholesteatoma, and COM without cholesteatoma. TLR expression in the normal middle ear mucosa is absent or weak, but is increased in inflammatory fluid of AOM, effusion of OME, and granulation tissue and cholesteatoma of COM. In addition, TLRs show increased or decreased expression depending on the presence or absence of bacteria, recurrence of disease, tissue type, and repeated surgery. In conclusion, expression of TLRs is associated with otitis media. Inappropriate TLR expression, or delayed or absent induction, are associated with the occurrence, recurrence, chronicization, and complications of otitis media. Therefore, TLRs are very important in otitis media and closely related to its etiology.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Otitis Media; Toll-Like Receptors
PubMed: 34360632
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157868