Bacteriological Study of Spontaneous Ear Drainage in Children Aged 3 Months to 15 Years

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying children who experience spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane SPTM, a condition where the eardrum tears and causes ear discharge otorrhea. This study aims to understand the bacterial causes of this condition several years after the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13 in 2010. Although the number of acute otitis media AOM cases has decreased since the vaccine, SPTM still occurs in some children and needs further investigation. Children with SPTM are enrolled by pediatricians across France and a sample of middle ear fluid is collected using a cotton-tipped wire swab from the spontaneous ear discharge. This fluid is then transported to specialized microbiology labs for bacterial analysis. The study captures cases where otorrhea appears as the first sign of AOM or after treatment failure or recurrence of AOM symptoms. Participants undergo sample collection during their inclusion visit, and researchers analyze the microbiological profiles of the ear discharge. They also study patient characteristics, clinical features of treatment failure or recurrence, and compare rapid diagnostic test results with laboratory findings. The study involves children aged 3 months to 15 years and continues until October 2028, aiming to improve understanding of ear infections in children.

Bacteriological Evaluation of Children With Otorrhea