Investigators: Deborah Strickland, Jeff Lauzon-Joset, Lea-Ann Kirkham, Mathew Bellgard, Naomi Scott, Peter Richmond, Roger Lathman, Ruth Thornton, Steve Tristam
Summary: Infections of the middle ear (otitis media) are a significant global cause of hospitalisation, despite the use of antibiotics and vaccines. The bacteria that cause these infections live at the back of the nose. High concentrations of these bacteria in the nose can seed infection of the ears. This project will assess whether we can eliminate the bacteria that cause ear infections from the nose to prevent development of infection.
Project description:
Bacteria that reside in the human respiratory tract can travel up the Eustachian tube and cause middle ear infection (known as otitis media). Globally, otitis media is the most common reason for a child to be given antibiotics and undergo surgery. Indigenous Australian children have the highest rates of severe otitis media in the world, which impacts on speech development and quality of life. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the leading cause of otitis media in Australia. Colonisation of the respiratory tract with NTHi is essential for development of infection. We have found that children at risk of developing NTHi otitis media are less likely to be colonised with a harmless bacterium called Haemophilus haemolyticus. We have also shown in the laboratory that pre-treatment of human respiratory cells with H. haemolyticus can protect the cells from being infected with NTHi. We believe that H. haemolyticus could be used to prevent NTHi colonisation of the respiratory tract, which in turn may prevent development of otitis media. This study will evaluate whether treatment with H. haemolyticus can prevent NTHi otitis media. This study is important for potentially reducing the global burden of otitis media and for management of other NTHi diseases such as chronic lung disease and sepsis in infants and the elderly.