Scientists have long searched for a better treatment for ear infections. Many parents know the pain of watch their kids suffer from painful ear infections for days or weeks. Middle ear infections in children can develop resistance to the common several-day antibiotic schedule, resulting in the infecting coming back with a vengeance. Such ear infections often happen behind the eardrum, a structure which prevents antibiotic pills from working as intended. The currently available pills can also causes side effects such as indigestion and yeast infections.
Recently a research team at Cornell University found promising results on a potential solution: a single dose of topical antibiotic. Tests on chinchillas found that when the topical antibiotic was applied to the eardrums of infected animals, their disease was remedied within 1 day. Crucially the infections did not return in the the 7-day treatment period and the chinchillas did not experience inflammation of the eardrums. The research team cautions that further studies are needed to determine whether these results translate to human patients. Animal subjects often respond differently to medications than people do. Nevertheless, these findings may bring us one step closer to a more effective treatment with fewer side effects and less potential for antibiotic resistance.
Full Story: HealthDay
