Discovery of the microbiome helps save children’s hearing

Dr.

Dr.

"By focusing on the microbiota of the upper respiratory tract of children with disease resistance, we can investigate the ecological network of bacterial interactions that seem to work together to prevent disease

"It is clear that these two groups of bacteria not only need to exist, but also need to interact to prevent middle ear infections

Dr.

He said: "This can take the form of a molecule that can be used as a drug treatment, or as a protective probiotic, so that these'good' bacteria can be planted in the nose as soon as possible, providing protection against incoming ones.

Dr.

Dr.

"This disease can cause hearing loss and has a lifelong impact on language and language development, education and future employment prospects, and creates a huge gap in education and employment outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The study investigated the microbiota of 103 children aged 2-7 years from two communities in northern Queensland

Dr.

He said: "Our findings can be applied all over the world to help many people improve their health and reduce the gap in disadvantage

The team thanked the Queensland Department of Health’s Statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear Health Program "Deadly Ear" team for their support, which provided on-site treatment and education, and received generous assistance from parents and children involved in the community

Journal Reference :

1. Andrea Coleman, Julian Zaugg, Amanda Wood, Kyra Cottrell, Eva Grahn Håkansson, Jasmyn Adams, Matthew Brown, Anders Cervin, Seweryn Bialasiewicz.