Microbiology of chronic otitis media with effusion among Australian Aboriginal children: role of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Serum, eye secretions, post-nasal swabs, external ear swabs and middle ear effusions (MEE) were collected from 131 Australian Aboriginal children with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). The children were all resident in a trachoma endemic region. Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from the MEE of 2 children. Probable bacterial pathogens were isolated from 34 (12.7%) ears. The remainder were sterile (52.4%) or contained normal skin flora (34.9%). Serum and secretions were examined by the microimmunofluorescent technique for the presence, titre and serotype of anti-chlamydial antibody. Antibody, predominantly of the C serotype, was found in a high percentage of sera (80%) and secretions (approximately 50%). This serotype is associated with ocular trachoma. It is concluded that C. trachomatis is associated with COME among some Aboriginal children in this trachoma endemic area.