Bacterial biofilms in the upper airway - evidence for role in pathology and implications for treatment of otitis media.
Understanding the nature of the biofilm component in the pathogenesis of otitis media [OM] will likely have a meaningful influence on the development of novel strategies to prevent and/or treat this highly prevalent pediatric disease. The design of vaccine candidates for OM that currently focus on preventing colonization are predicated on the assumption that by reducing the burden of bacteria present in the pediatric nasopharynx, one could reduce or eliminate the likelihood of retrograde ascension of the Eustachian tube by bacteria from the nasopharynx to the middle ear. If effective, this strategy could prevent biofilms from ever forming in the middle ear. Additionally, gaining an improved understanding of the unique properties of bacteria resident within a biofilm and the proteins they express while growing as part of this organized community has the potential to identify novel and perhaps biofilm-specific molecular targets for the design of either therapeutic agents or vaccine candidates for the resolution of existing OM.
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 700 Children's Drive, W591, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Lauren.Bakaletz@NationwideChildrens.org
Lauren O
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Bakaletz
D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000254:growth & development; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines