Bad bugs invade kids' ears

20/07/2006:- Research confirms that the bacteria that cause an inner ear infection called "otitis media" actually grow in a clump called a biofilm.

This tough structure makes it almost impossible to treat the infection using antibiotics - or to grow in the lab for testing.

So what?

Doctors now realize they need to treat chronic infections differently. They believe a number of chronic conditions - including lung and sinus infections - may be the result of bacterial biofilms.

- Nature.com, reported on:   news.sympatico.msn.ca/ScienceandTech/