Some time ago we already explained that a study had approached a possible vaccine against otitis, and today we can talk about a new investigation that has led to the same direction: a vaccine in drops on the skin of the ear could prevent otitis in children.
The research has been carried out at the Research Institute of the Children's Hospital of Columbus (United States) with the purpose of reducing the incidence of otitis, an infection that suffers up to 80% of the child population before three years of age.
Specifically, attempts have been made to act against non-typifiable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), one of the three main bacterial causes of otitis media. Although current infections are controlled with antibiotics, the emergence of microorganisms resistant to these drugs is a problem. There are other procedures to relieve pain, but they are invasive. Therefore a vaccine would be excellent news.
Researchers have designed several possible vaccines that target proteins on the outer surface of the NTHi bacteria. The applied method, called transcutaneous immunization, involves placing a drop of each vaccine on the ear and rubbing it on the skin. The method was made public during the general meeting of the American Society of Microbiology in Philadelphia (United States).
The study has been carried out at the moment with animals, where it was found that the vaccines were able to quickly reduce or completely eliminate NTHi from their nose and ears. Hopefully it will continue to investigate in this regard, for now it seems that this drop vaccine to prevent otitis I could avoid many infections, certainly a relief for so many babies who suffer from it.
