Human enterovirus and rhinovirus infections are associated with otitis media in a prospective birth cohort study

- Human rhinovirus (HRV) and enterovirus (HEV) infections are common in childhood.
- These viruses have been linked to acute otitis media (AOM).
- The study showed a trend for increased risk of AOM in HRV and HEV positive children.
- These viruses may play an independent role in the pathogenesis of AOM.

BackgroundHuman enteroviruses (HEVs) and rhinoviruses (HRVs) have been linked to acute otitis media (AOM).ObjectivesThe present study evaluates the aforementioned association in a birth cohort setting.Study designThe cohort included 286 healthy infants (191 boys) followed from birth up to the age of 2 years in the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention study in Finland. Stool samples were collected monthly and analyzed for the presence of HRV and HEV RNA using RT-PCR. Clinical symptoms were recorded by a questionnaire every 3-6 months.ResultsAltogether 610 AOM episodes were reported during the follow-up. 9.8% of the stool samples were positive for HRV and 6.8% for HEV. HRV positivity peaked at the age of 3-6 months declining gradually after this age, whereas HEV positivity peaked later, at the age of 12-24 months. The risk of AOM was increased in children who were HEV positive at least once at the age of 6-12 months (OR 2.2 [95%CI 1.1-4.2], P = 0.023) or who were HRV positive at least once at the age of 18-24 months (OR 2.3 [95%CI 1.0-5.2], P = 0.042). Having an older sibling, short breast-feeding and maternal smoking during pregnancy were also significantly associated with AOM.ConclusionsHRV and HEV infections are frequent during the first months of life. The observed trend for increased risk of AOM in HRV and HEV positive children is in line with the results from hospital series suggesting that these viruses may play an independent role in the pathogenesis of AOM.