Abstract
Program Description: Virtually all microbes live in biofilm communities. Within these communities, the microbes assume differing specialized roles which confer survival advantages on the community. These communities cause chronic and device-associated infections. The role of biofilms in the persistence of chronic, mucosal-based ENT-related infections was first recognized in otitis media. Within the field of pediatric otolaryngology, biofilms have now been shown to play a role in many infections, including: recurrent acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, cholesteatoma, chronic tonsillitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and infections of tracheostomies, endotracheal tubes, tympanostomy tubes, and cochlear implants. The recognition that chronic ear, nose, and throat bacterial infections are biofilm-related has been the impetus for the development of new technologies for the study of biofilms and their prevention and treatment. Understanding that chronic bacterial infections are biofilm-related is fundamental to developing rationale strategies for treatment and prevention.
Educational Objectives: 1) Appreciate the current state of understanding regarding biofilms in middle ear effusions and recurrent acute otitis media. 2) Understand the contributions that biofilms make toward chronic infections of the tonsils and adenoids. 3) Understand the near and long-term possibilities in treatment and prevention of pediatric otolaryngology infections associated with biofilms.
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