FIG 2.

Induction of significantly more rapid eradication of NTHI from both middle ear fluid samples and mucosal biofilms by TCI with chimV4 plus dmLT by a band-aid vaccine placed in the postauricular region. (A) Circular adhesive bandage utilized in these studies, demonstrating retention of a 50-μl fluid volume on the gauze pad. (B and C) CFU of NTHI per milliliter of middle ear fluid (B) and CFU of NTHI per milligram of mucosal biofilm (C) collected prior to immunization (baseline) and 7 days after receipt of the second weekly band-aid vaccine (nape and postauricular region) for each cohort. Significant reductions in NTHI levels were detected after receipt of chimV4 plus dmLT, and TCI in the postauricular region was superior to placement at the nape in resolving experimental OM. Values for individual middle ears are plotted, and the mean for each cohort is indicated by short horizontal lines. *, P ≤ 0.05; **, P ≤ 0.01, one-way ANOVA.