Immunologic aspects of otitis media.
The cellular immune response in otitis media with effusion consisted of granulocytic cells in the majority (60--70%) of cases, while the monocytic-lymphocytic cells formed the bulk of cells present in 20%. A considerable number (15--20%) of serous, seromucinous and mucoid effusions had sparse cellular populations. T-lymphocytes, marked with alpha-naphthyl-acetate-esterase (ANAE) constituted the majority of lymphocytes and were present in effusion liquids in numbers similar to those in blood. Tests with E-rosettes confirmed the results obtained with ANAE stain. The finding that T-lymphocytes are present in normal numbers may link the mucosal damage to the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Another explanation of mucosal damage may be sought in immune complexes, which have recently been found to be present in many sterile middle ear liquids.
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004950:Esterases; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000150:complications; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000502:physiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000276:immunology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011506:Proteins; D004950:Esterases; D009113:Muramidase