Ear and nasal swabs were collected longitudinally from children in Yalata. Ear and nose microbiota was assessed and related to ear disease and treatment

Indigenous children in rural and remote Australia have high prevalence of otitis media (OM), both acute and chronic. There are 2 main routes by which bacteria can cause OM, through the eustachian tube and through the tympanic membrane. It is unknown how bacteria in the ear is related to disease in these children. 153 ear and nasal swabs were collected longitudinally from children in Yalata, a remote region in South Australia. Ear and nose microbiota was assessed and related to ear disease and treatment