Bulky biofilms found in kids' ears
Drug-resistant bugs argue against use of antibiotics.
Bacteria clumped into tough biofilms are behind the widespread and persistent ear infections that vex kids, researchers have confirmed, supporting the idea that deploying antibiotics against these conditions is futile.
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Comments
I found this article very interesting since I have consistently taken my daughter to the doctor with ear infections. Sometimes twice a month she will have one. I had never heard this concept but this has convinced me that putting tubes in her ears really is a good idea. Her doctor had just mentioned that maybe we should start talking about that. I was a little reluctant but if biofilm would be a continuing problem then I think tubes would be for the best.
Posted by: Tina | July 15, 2006 12:31 AM
interesting..i seem to be suffering from the same problem...will discuss the reasons with a doctor soon.
Posted by: Shubhra | July 16, 2006 06:00 PM
My start-up company, Allotrope Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has a platform technology that attacks and dismantles biofilm structures, either making antibiotics more effective or eliminating them completely. Ear infections are on our agenda to address, however, funding for this significant and serious problem has been elusive. This article, which increases the awareness of the conncetion between ear infections and biofilms will hopefully assist us in implementing our platform technology to treat this medically important disease.
Posted by: John A. Budny, PhD | August 2, 2006 06:03 PM