Bacteriology of middle ear fluid specimens obtained by tympanocentesis from 111 Colombian children with acute otitis media

We cultured middle ear fluid specimens obtained by tympanocentesis from 111 Colombian infants and children, ages 11 days to 11 years, with acute otitis media. Bacteria were isolated in 82 patients (74%). Haemophilus influenzae, the most common isolate, was present in 40 cases (36%); 32 were nontypable strains and 8 were type b. Streptococcus pneumoniae, identified in 26 cases (22%), was the second most common pathogen. All H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae strains were susceptible to ampicillin and penicillin, respectively. We conclude that amoxicillin remains the drug of choice for treatment of acute otitis media in our country.