Eighteen-Year Longitudinal Study of Uncomplicated and Complex Acute Otitis Media During the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era, 2006–2023

Abstract

Background

We analyzed the demographic and risk factors, middle ear fluid (MEF) pathogens, pneumococcus serotype distribution, and bacterial antibiotic nonsusceptibility among children with uncomplicated acute otitis media (uAOM) and complex acute otitis media (cAOM) over 3 timeframes: 2006–2009 (7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV7] era), 2010–2014 (early 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV13] era), and 2015–2023 (late PCV13 era).

Methods

A total of 1537 children were enrolled over 18 years and prospectively followed from 6 to 36 months of age. Upon diagnosis of AOM, tympanocentesis was performed for MEF collection and culture. Electronic medical records were analyzed to identify uAOM and cAOM episodes.

Results

Analysis of demographic data showed that male sex, family history of AOM, and daycare attendance increased the odds of developing cAOM compared to uAOM. Streptococcus pneumoniae was less likely in cAOM, and Haemophilus influenzae more likely as compared to uAOM. AOM caused by S pneumoniae decreased significantly in the early and late PCV13 eras. This was driven by decreases in cAOM caused by PCV13 S pneumoniae strains, especially serotype 19A. Streptococcus pneumoniae penicillin nonsusceptibility was associated with cAOM and declined in the early PCV13 era.

Conclusions

The risk factors for developing cAOM compared to uAOM are similar. PCV13 significantly reduced cAOM and penicillin nonsusceptibility associated with S pneumoniae, driven by reduction in cases caused by serotype 19A. Haemophilus influenzae continued to be a dominant cause of cAOM. Although non-PCV13 S pneumoniae serotypes emerged in the late PCV13 era, the lower level of cAOM caused by S pneumoniae was sustained.

uncomplicated acute otitis media, complex acute otitis media, PCV13, tympanocentesis, S pneumoniae