Incidence of acute otitis media associated with group A and B respiratory syncytial virus infections

Abstract

The comparative association of respiratory syncytial virus group A and B infections with acute otitis media was determined by analysing the hospital records of children with community–acquired respiratory syncytial virus infection during three successive outbreaks from 1987 to 1992. Of 326 episodes analysed, 192 (59%) were caused by group A and 134 (41%) by group B infections. Acute otitis media was diagnosed in 101 (75%) children with group B infection, compared with 119 (62%) with group A infection (p = 0.01). Group A infections were more often associated with wheezing (71% versus 59% in group B; p = 0.02) and oxygen therapy in inpatients (48% versus 31%, respectively;p= 0.008). The higher incidence of acute otitis media associated with group B infections was observed both after adjustment for potential confounding variables and during each outbreak.