title: Determining otitis media severity from middle ear fluid analysis.
abstract: Otitis media has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis, and the middle ear inflammatory response is typified by the accumulation of cellular and chemical mediators in middle ear effusion. However, specific biochemical and immunochemical factors that may be responsible for the severity or chronicity of otitis media have not been identified. Identification of factors involved in chronicity appears to be an essential step in the treatment and ultimate prevention of chronic otitis media. We analyzed 70 effusion samples from patients 1 to 10 years of age who had chronic otitis media with effusion for two cytokines (interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and total collagenase. The highest concentrations of all three inflammatory mediators were found in purulent otitis media, and concentrations were higher in younger than in older patients. Mediator concentrations were similar in samples obtained from patients having their first myringotomy for otitis media with effusion and in those who had had multiple previous myringotomies. The multiresponse star, which incorporates several biochemical parameters in one graphic illustration, may best characterize the complex nature of middle ear inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Otitis Media Research Center, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Juhn
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Garvis
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017364:Collagenases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017364:Collagenases