Blue light could help treat canine ear infections, study finds
Antibiotic resistance can make treating ear infections difficult.
A new study has suggested that blue light could be used to treat canine ear infections that aren't responding to antibiotics.
The researchers, from the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham, found that blue light could destroy antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The effectiveness of the treatment was even greater when combined with the antibiotic enrofloxacin.
Ear infections are one of the most common conditions seen in dogs. The condition affects up to 20 per cent of dogs globally. In 2016, it was the second most common diagnosis for dogs in the UK.
The researchers tested the effectiveness of using blue light as a treatment on six strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from dogs with otitis externa.
The light produces a chemical reaction within microbial cells, creating reactive oxygen species that can ultimately cause cell death. Different wavelengths of blue light were tested both alone and in combination with enrofloxacin.
The scientists found that some of the frequencies of blue light killed at least 99 per cent of the bacteria. The treatment reduced viable counts of Pseudomonas both with and without enrofloxacin, but the most effective results were achieved when used in combination with the antibiotic.
Following the success of the study, the researchers plan to test blue light treatment against a larger range of clinical Pseudomonas strains. Ultimately, they hope to be able to develop a simple method for using the treatment on dogs in clinics.
Robert Atterbury, associate professor in microbiology at the University of Nottingham, said: “Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in both people and animals, including their pets. Pseudomonas ear infections in dogs are often very difficult to treat long-term because of this resistance.
“The possibility of a new, non-invasive treatment for this condition, based on exposure to antimicrobial frequencies of blue light, has the potential to transform outcomes for pets and avoid the costly and difficult surgery which may ultimately be required otherwise.”
The study has been published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
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The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign. 
