About this Research Topic

Background

Otitis media (OM) encompasses a spectrum of middle ear infections. Acute otitis media (AOM) is among the most common pediatric diseases, and the most frequent reason for antibiotic treatment in children. Other forms of OM include otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma. The etiology of OM is one of the complex associations between environmental, pathogen, host and genetic risk factors.

The genetic susceptibility loci for OM are not well understood, only a few genome-wide associations have been identified for OM susceptibility. Candidate gene studies, based on the biological plausibility of the genes and evidence from model organisms, have examined the association of some relevant genes to OM. On the other hand, many animal models have been reported, but the phenotypes may not be fully elucidated. Likewise, novel variants in microbial pathogens need to be identified to understand changes in patterns of pathogen prevalence over time.

We aim to review the current state-of-the-art knowledge on genetic alterations found to be implicated in otitis media in humans, animal models and microbial pathogens, in order to elucidate the constitutional genetic factors that may be associated with OM risk. We invite contributions on novel and known variants in the human, animal or bacterial genomes that predispose or protect against OM. For known variants, unpublished associations are also welcome, including but not limited to OM complications, co-morbidities, longitudinal patterns, the time course of infection, biofilm formation, -omics studies or immunologic profiles. Replication of novel variants, genes or loci that have not been validated in additional cohorts or functional studies are also of interest. If reporting candidate gene studies in humans, the study background based on previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or animal models must be clearly defined in order to be considered further. Novel perspectives on the OM phenotype are encouraged in order to decrease overlap with previous publications in literature.

This Research Topic is interested in Original Research, Review, and General Commentary articles in the following areas:

• Genetics of otitis media in humans – sibling, twins and family studies or GWAS

• Genetic variants in experimental otitis media (animal models) - host

• Genetic variants in experimental otitis media (human or animal models) - microbes

• Genetic alterations in respiratory viruses causing otitis media

• Genetic variants that predispose to chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma

• Genetic alterations in biofilms in chronic ear diseases

All Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject

Keywords: otitis media, genetics, genome-wide association studies, phenotype, animal model, chronic ear disease, biofilm

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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