The Effect of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on Otitis Media Disease Progression and Treatment Efficacy

Otitis media is a major public health problem in pediatrics worldwide. It is the number one reason for pediatric office visits, new antibiotic prescriptions and surgery in children. The two most commonly isolated pathogens from otitis media infection are <italic>Haemophilus influenzae</italic> and <italic>Streptococcus pneumoniae</italic>. Once established, these bacteria can cause persistent and/or recurrent infections and are often refractory to antibiotic therapy. One hypothesis to explain this persistence is the presence of biofilm communities, which are inherently resistent to host clearance mechanisms and antibiotics. Biofilm formation by otopathogens has been demonstrated in vitro, in a chinchilla model of experimental otitis media and on human patient samples.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Weimer, Kristin

• beta lactam

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/30435

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/30435