Otitis Media Research Timeline

Doctors and scientists have known of the existence of otitis media for decades, but it was not until the 1970's that they began to search for its causes in earnest. Through their research, they identified three types of bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis) as the source of most middle ear infections. Recent research has focused on the role that viruses, biofilms, and genetics play in the development and incidence of otitis media and on the development of a vaccine for the disease. Researchers have also worked to understand how the condition affects hearing, language development, and learning in children.

Since giving its first grant for otitis media research in 1971, DRF has been a consistent supporter of this type of research. Early projects focused on the bacterial roots of the condition, while more recent research has targeted the effects of ear infections as well as potential vaccines. A number of DRF's otitis media grantees subsequently received funding from the National Institutes of Health and have made important contributions to the field. DRF will continue to support research into otitis media, in hopes that scientists will discover better treatments for the condition.

Year Research

1971 DRF funds two studies by Dr. Kenneth H. Brookler and Dr. Collin Karmody on the causes of otitis media

1971-1973 DRF grant to Dr. Philip M. Sprinkle to investigate the Microbiology of Recurrent Serious Otitis Media.

Dr. William Saunders also receives a grant for a electron microscopic study of ear infections.

1973 DRF grant to Dr. Charles D. Bluestone to study the pathogenesis of middle ear effusions.

1974 DRF supports Dr. Sprinkle's research into the etiopathogenesis of otitis media

1977-1979 Dr. Daniel M. Lewis receives DRF funding for a study of experimental otitis media.

1978-1980 Dr. Robert M. Bumstead receives a DRF grant to study bone resorption in chronic ear disease.

1981-1983 DRF supports Thomas DeMaria, PhD and his study Haemophilus Influenza Otitis Media: An Animal Model

DRF gives a grant to Dr. Bruce J. Gantz for his study of bone resorption in chronic otitis media. He later receives NIH funding for otitis media research.

1983-1985 DRF grant to Dr. Robert S. Fulghum and his study of the role of bacteria in the development of otitis media.

1984-1986 Another DRF grant to Dr. DeMaria for a study of The Role of Endotoxin in Adhesive Otitis Media

1985 Dr. Joe E. Penny receives a DRF grant to study otitis media in the rat cochlea, and Dr. Frederick Henderson receives funding to study otitis media and its relationship to speech problems.

1986-1987 DRF funds Dr. Fulghum's study of bacteria as a pathogenic factor in otitis media

DRF grant to Dr. Gerald Leonard for his research into secretory otitis media.

1987 Drs. James R. Carlson, Lauren O. Bakaletz, Thomas F. DeMaria, and Roland D. Eavey all receive DRF funding to study otitis media.

1988 DRF grant to Dr. Linda J. Dindzans for a study of antibodies and otitis media.

DRF funds Dr. Timothy T. K. Jung's research into the pathogenesis of otitis media.

1988-1989 Joanne Roberts, Ph.D. receives a DRF grant to study the effect of otitis media on speech and language development. She goes on to receive substantial NIH funding.

1991 Dr. Mary C. Hart studies a possible link between otitis media and childhood imbalance.

Another DRF grant to Dr. Jung to study otitis media.

DRF grant to Kathleen A. Daly, Ph.D. and her study of the epidemiology of early otitis media. She has received long-term NIH funding.

Dr. David H. Darrow receives a grant for his study of the effects of bacterial endotoxin on the cochlea.

1992 DRF grant to Dr. Timothy Sorg for his search for an otitis media vaccine.

1993-94 Dr. Christopher Post receives DRF grants to study the role of respiratory viruses in otitis media. DRF's funding leads to two NIH grants.

1994 DRF funds Dr. Joan Besing's study of the effects of otitis media on children.

Dr. Janak A. Patel receives a grant to study viral infections of the middle ear.

1996 Dr. Howard Faden receives a DRF grant to study possible protective antibodies in human milk. He has also received NIH funding.

DRF funds Dr. Harold C. Pillsbury's study of the role of cytokines in middle ear effusions.

1998 DRF grant to Dr. Zhi Yuan to study antibiotics and otitis media.

2000-2002 DRF funds Dr. Graham P. Krasan and his study of the nitric oxide response to haemophilus influenzae infections.

2001-2002 Dr. Melinda Pettigrew receives a grant to study virulence factors associated with otitis media

2003-2004 Dr. Paul Webster receives a grant to study specific bacteria as a cause of otitis media.