Table 16.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Otitis Media

Etiological Agentsa	Diagnostic Procedures	Optimum Specimens	Transport Issues and Optimal Transport Time
Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis Streptococcus pyogenes Pseudomonas aeruginosa Alloiococcus otitidis Staphylococcus aureus	Gram stain, Aerobic bacterial culture	Tympanocentesis fluid	Sterile container, RT, <2 h
		Mini-tipped swab of fluid draining from the middle ear cavity in patients with myringotomy tubes or otorrhea	Swab transport device, RT, 2 h

Abbreviation: RT, room temperature.

^aViruses are often the etiologic agent, but microbiologic studies do not help with treatment decisions.