BPIFA1 and ear infection: Biofilms contribute to the persistence of otitis-causing microbes in the middle ear (Post, 2001; Ehrlich et al., 2002; Hall-Stoodley et al., 2006; Hoa et al., 2009; Thornton et al., 2011); it is possible that loss of Splunc1 results in overgrowth of bacterial biofilms and a reduced ability to clear bacteria from the ear.