TABLE 3.

Single and Combination of Multiple Otopathogens Colonizing the Nasopharynx and Middle Ear Fluid During an Acute Otitis Media Episode When Both Nasopharyngeal and Middle Ear Fluid Samples Were Collected

Total AOM Episodes (n = 139)	Nasopharynx (n = 139)	MEF (n = 139)
Spn only	11 (8%)	12 (9%)
Hflu only	21 (15%)	45 (32%)
Mcat only	20 (14%)	12 (9%)
Spn + Hflu	10 (7%)	6 (4%)
Spn + Mcat	31 (22%)	7 (5%)
Hflu + Mcat	19 (14%)	4 (3%)
Spn + Hflu + Mcat	11 (8%)	1 (1%)

These percentages are from AOM episodes for which both the nasopharyngeal and MEF samples were collected and excludes AOM episodes where either sample was not collected. Otopathogens were not detected in all AOM episodes. Spn + Hflu in the nasopharynx yielded both bacteria in the same MEF in all 6 cases. Spn + Mcat yielded both bacteria in the same MEF in 6 cases and 1 of each bacteria in separate MEF in 1 case. Hflu + Mcat yielded both bacteria in the same MEF in 4 cases. Spn + Hflu + Mcat yielded 3 bacteria in the same MEF.