CQUni seeks to reduce scourge of middle ear infection
Published on 23 May, 2013
Middle ear infection often hits young children just when they are entering their kindy and school years, leading to hearing difficulties in class and absenteeism...
Meantime, parents have to miss work for doctor visits and there are expensive medications and sometimes surgery to fund.
That's why CQUniversity researchers are keen to forge ahead with what will be Queensland's only clinical study into middle ear infection (known as otitis media), with the aim of finding better therapies or to reduce the severity of the disease.
Thanks to Mater Hospital ethics approval, PhD candidate Jessica Browne and Associate Professor Andrew Taylor-Robinson will carry out immunological studies on clinical samples collected during adenoid surgery at Rockhampton's Mater Hospital.
The CQUniversity team is proud to be tackling a worldwide problem which can lead to recurrent bouts of suffering, educational difficulties and stress on families.
"Middle ear infection is a major problem for children and their families in rural and regional areas and in Indigenous communities so it's fitting we are basing our study in Rockhampton," Ms Browne says.
The project will be underpinned by funding from the HEALTH CRN (Health Collaborative Research Network). The Queensland University of Technology is also providing crucial access to additional laboratory technology.
Local ear-nose-and-throat specialist Dr Evan Matthews and his clinical staff and nurses will be partners in the research. Dr Matthews is now an Adjunct Associate Professor with CQUniversity and the project would not be possible without his involvement.
Professor Jennelle Kyd from Swinburne University of Technology, who established otitis media research when based at CQUniversity, will also play a part in supervising the study.
The project will be based in laboratories at CQUniversity's new Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct across from its main Rockhampton Campus.
CQUniversity now has approval for the establishment of a ‘Biobank' for the long-term storage of clinical samples to aid this study, as well as ongoing research in upper respiratory infections.
LINK HERE for more on the Capricornia Centre for Mucosal Immunology
Adjunct Assoc Prof Evan Matthews 
Dr Evan Matthews, Peter Comerford (Mater Hospital), Jessica Browne and Assoc Prof Andrew Taylor-Robinson
