MicrobeWorld

Ear infections: almost every kid has suffered through them at least once, making otitis media the most common reason for pediatric visits and new antibiotic prescriptions in children. But those little bottles of sweet pink antibiotics don’t always clear up ear infections. Bacteria often form mixed-species biofilms inside the ear, which afford the bacteria some protection from chemical onslaughts. A new paper just released by mBio reveals another reason these chronic biofilm infections are so recalcitrant: the bacteria may be cheering one another on. Click on teh link above to read more on mBio's blog, mBiosphere.