Nasal microbial composition and chronic otitis media with effusion: A case-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) in children can cause prolonged hearing loss, which is associated with an increased risk of learning delays and behavioural problems. Dispersal of bacterial pathogens from the nasal passages to the middle ear is implicated in COME. We sought to determine whether there is an association between nasal microbial composition and COME in children.

Methods

A case-control study of children aged 3 and 4 years was conducted. Cases undergoing placement of tympanostomy tubes for COME were compared to healthy controls. Nasal swabs were collected and a questionnaire was administered. The V1-3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified, and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq.

Results

73 children with COME had a lower Shannon diversit

SUBMITTER: Walker RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6386383 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature