Assessment of the Natural Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Surface Proteins During Acute Otitis Media in Children

Assessment of the Natural Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Surface Proteins During Acute Otitis Media in Children

This clinical study is designed to assess prospectively the sero-responses to various proteins in cases of pneumococcal Acute Otitis Media.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female Jewish and Bedouin children.
• Patients can be either ambulatory or hospitalized.
• Presenting with acute otitis media.
• Tympanocentesis was performed at least in one ear for a clinical indication.
• Culture of middle ear fluid was obtained.
• Parents agreeing to participate in the study and to submit their children for follow-up, blood test and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) cultures.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having another infection that is likely to be caused by S. pneumoniae.
• Known immunodeficiency.
• Known previous recent pneumococcal infections (<1 month prior to current visit).