Stubborn Ear Infections Resistant to Antibiotics.

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new strain of a common bacteria known to cause ear infections has been detected, and it’s resistant to every FDA-approved antibiotic on the market.

Researchers from the University of Rochester and Legacy Pediatrics in Rochester, N.Y., have pinpointed a strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae that is a new genotype, making it resistant to all antibiotics approved by the FDA to treat acute otitis media (AOM), or middle ear infection.

AOM is the most commonly treated bacterial infection in children. Because of its prevalence, a vaccine called pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate (PCV7) was developed in 2000 to preemptively treat middle ear infections. PCV7 helped quiet growing concerns over the overuse of antibiotics to treat AOM in children, which experts worry could lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Despite the popularity of PCV7, an antibiotic resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae has presented itself. Researchers discovered the strain while studying children who had received PCV7. Data showed the vaccine did not prevent the new strain, and, once diagnosed, the children who were infected with the strain underwent multiple treatments before their AOM was resolved.

Researchers report they believe these findings are worrisome and suggest an expanded PCV7 vaccine may be needed sooner than previously thought.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2007;298:1772-1778