Prospective study about the incidence of B lactamase producing bacteriae in otitis media in the population of the emergency room of the University Pediatric Hospital.

The purpose of the study is to determine the incidence of beta-lactamase producing pathogens causing otitis media (O.M.) in the Emergency Room population of the University Pediatric Hospital. In our first four months of study, 22 patients, between the ages of 6 months to 13 y/o have been evaluated. Middle ear secretion cultures were obtained by tympanocentesis. The organisms recovered from cultures were S. epidermidis 3 (14%), S. pneumoniae 2 (9%) H. influenzae 1 (5%), mix flora 1 (5%) and 13 (59%) with no growth. None of these organisms were beta-lactamase producers. Up to 64% of the patients had history of 2 to 5 OM episodes during the last six months. Interesting is the association of bronchial asthma, sinusitis and allergy history with OM. Final study results will be presented in a near future.