Bacterial biofilm adherence to middle-ear ventilation tubes: scanning electron micrograph images and literature review

Abstract

Biofilms may be responsible for chronic middle-ear ventilation tube infection that resists treatment with conventional antibiotics.

Early postoperative complications in children with secretory otitis media after tympanostomy tube insertion in the Military Medical Academy during 2000-2009

“…Attempts have been made using various antibiotics topically and orally before insertion, during or immediately after surgery, but without statistically significant reduction percentage of complications prevalence 6 . This has led to a series of investigations based on examination of bacterial biofilms, which often accompanies TT as a key reason for transient and chronic otorrhea 6 . Various substances put on a TT before insertion were examined in order to prevent the appearance of bacterial biofilms.…”

Bacterial biofilms in the upper airway - evidence for role in pathology and implications for treatment of otitis media

“…Others however have suggested that tube-associated aeration of the middle ear favors disruption of the bacterial biofilms. 57–59 …”

Management of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

“…Biofilm and intracellular infection have been demonstrated on ME mucosa of children with CSOM, recurrent AOM, and chronic OME, and are mechanisms of bacterial persistence in the ME causing recalcitrance to treatment and disease recurrence [26][27][28]. Similarly, a number of studies have shown that TTs are highly subject to biofilm build up [29] which leads to refractory otorrhea and TT occlusion. Systemic antibiotics are known to have poor ME biofilm penetration.…”