Study to Identify and Characterize the Bacteria Causing Acute Otitis Media Episodes in Young Children in Taiwan

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: \>= 3 months and \< 5 years at the time they are seen by the pediatrician or ear, nose and throat specialist. The subject becomes ineligible on the fifth birthday. * Onset of signs and symptoms of acute otitis media within 72 hours: * One of the functional or general signs of otalgia (, conjunctivitis, fever and either * Paradise's criteria or * Spontaneous otorrhea of less than 1 day. * Written informed consent obtained from parent or legally acceptable representative prior to study start. Exclusion Criteria: * Hospitalized during the diagnosis of acute otitis media. * Onset of otorrhea greater than 1 day prior to enrolment. * Otitis externa, or otitis media with effusion. * Presence of a transtympanic aerator. * Systemic antibiotic treatment received for a disease other than acute otitis media in the 72 hours prior to enrolment. * Receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis for recurrent acute otitis media. * Provision of prescribing antibiotics by ear, nose and throat specialist and Pediatricians for acute otitis media before sample collection. * Intended or planned prescription of antibiotic by pediatrician or ear, nose and throat specialist prior to the completion of study specified procedures during the enrolment visit.