Speakers - 2025

Biography

Jianying Xiao is affiliated with Merck & Co., Inc., based in Rahway, USA

Abstract

Abstract: Bacteria-induced acute otitis media (AOM) is primarily characterized by eustachian tube dysfunction that occurs during an acute viral upper respiratory tract infection. AOM remains the most common condition leading to antibiotic prescriptions in young children. While mice and other rodent models have been utilized for AOM research, they often exhibit rapid clearance of the associated human-specific bacteria. In this study, we describe a viral/bacterial co-infection model using the cotton rat. Our data demonstrate that a co-infection strategy, initiated with a respiratory viral infection followed by bacterial colonization with non-typeable Haemophilus influenzaeae (NTHi), results in prolonged colonization in the nasopharynx. This colonization persists for several weeks, closely mimicking the patterns observed in humans. Establishing this model allows for the evaluation of both prophylactic and therapeutic interventions for AOM. Furthermore, this model may be further explored as a disease model in the ear, contributing valuable insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of AOM.