To explore the critical role of complement in the middle ear in host innate immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) during acute otitis media (OM) (middle ear inflammation).
Spn is one of the primary pathogens of OM. Despite advances that have been made in Spn OM research in the last decade, much more remains to be learned about the otological immunology for better understanding of the pathogenesis of OM. The long-term objectives of our research projects are to evaluate host-bacterial cell interrelationship with the purpose of developing strategies for blocking or immunizing against this interaction and thus preventing the development of OM.
