Risk factors for otitis media and carriage of multiple strains of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae

Jennifer St Sauver, Carl F. Marrs, Betsy Foxman, Patricia Somsel, Robbie Madera, Janet R. Gilsdorf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

We studied genetic diversity in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in throat culture isolates from 38 children attending two day-care centers in Michigan. Culture specimens were collected weekly; 184 S. pneumoniae and 418 H. influenzae were isolated from the cultures. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified 29 patterns among the S. pneumoniae isolates and 87 among the H. influenzae isolates. Of the cultures, 5% contained multiple genetic types of S. pneumoniae, and 43% contained multiple types of H. influenzae. Carriage of multiple H. influenzae isolates, which was associated with exposure to smoking, history of allergies, and age 36 to 47 months, may increase risk for otitis media in children.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)622-630
Number of pages9
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume6
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Risk factors for otitis media and carriage of multiple strains of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this