Alternative therapies in antibiotic-resistant infection

Adv Med Sci. 2006:51:242-4.

Abstract

A 24-year-old woman suffering from post-influenza otitis media infection was initially treated with several series of a steroid (Elocon) and a combination of steroids and antibiotics (Atecortin, Dicortineff) without significant medical benefit. The isolated bacterial strains were identified as Staphylococcus homis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Specific phage therapy applied sequentially over a period of three weeks resulted only in a partial reduction in inflammation and limited improvement in overall health condition. Oral application of lactoferrin (LF; 50-mg daily oral doses for seven days with two-week intervals) led to a complete clearance of both bacterial strains and full recovery of the patient. The recovery was associated with increased myelopoiesis and a sustained elevation of serum endogenous LF. In conclusion, specific bacteriophage therapy combined with the administration of lactoferrin proved to be effective in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant external ear infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fludrocortisone / analogs & derivatives
  • Fludrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Gramicidin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lactoferrin / therapeutic use*
  • Neomycin / therapeutic use
  • Otitis Media / drug therapy*
  • Otitis Media / microbiology
  • Otitis Media / virology
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus hominis / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • dicortineff
  • Gramicidin
  • Lactoferrin
  • Neomycin
  • Penicillin G
  • Fludrocortisone