FRIDAY, June 3, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Middle ear infections, the bane of babies and young children everywhere, are caused by drug-resistant bacterial conglomerations called "biofilms," a new study confirms.
Biofilms consist of bacteria attached to a surface and surrounded by a protective substance. Because they are typically resistant to antibiotics, identifying biofilms as the cause of middle ear infections should provide researchers with a better understanding of the condition and help in the development of new treatments.
The study included nine children with middle ear infections. Of these children, 44 percent had biofilm formation and 44 percent had microscopic evidence indicating biofilm formation.
The study was presented recently at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) annual meeting in Las Vegas.
According to ASPO, otitis media is second only to colds as the most commonly diagnosed illness in American children. It's also the most common reason for prescribing antibiotics for children or for surgery with general anesthesia in children.
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about otitis media.
