New hope for millions of children who suffer from ear infections

There’s new hope for millions of Australian children who suffer from painful and persistent ear infections.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide are on the cusp of a breakthrough, with work underway on a vaccine that could provide a permanent solution to the chronic problem.

Anabelle Telfer has endured the pain of relentless ear infections, her mum Marlee says.

The two-year-old has suffered through 14 ear infections already this year.

“Her communication is not that great so her pain and things like that she can’t tell me,” she said.

“When she gets these ear infections it stops her from eating and drinking and these sorts of things.

“It’s just very stressful because I feel like I can’t help my daughter.”

Round after round of antibiotics provided only short-term relief, while doctors say surgery won’t help at this stage either.

More than 80 per cent of children experience at least one ear infection by the time they are three.

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Persistent cases can have long-lasting effects.

Now, researchers at the university are working on a vaccine that could provide a long-term solution.

Its development is based on the pneumococcal vaccine already included in the immunisation schedule for children.

“The approach we are taking is to develop a whole cell inactivated vaccine, which basically we kill the bacteria using a special type of radiation,” PHD student Carla Gallasch said.

In addition to protecting against ear infections, the vaccine could also be used to target lung infections in adults that are caused by the same bacteria.

Researchers hope to start human trials within three years.

“This project is still in the very early stages of development,” Dr Erin Brazel said.

“We hope to do pre-clinical studies in the next few years to make sure it works against lots of different strains.”