Correlation between presence of viable bacteria and presence of endotoxin in middle-ear effusions.
The presence of endotoxin (detected by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay) was compared to the presence of viable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis (detected by PCR) in 106 middle-ear effusions from pediatric patients with chronic otitis media. Endotoxin was found in 81 of the 106 specimens. Of these 81 specimens, 66 (81.5%) also tested positive for one or both of the gram-negative bacteria H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. The data suggest that viable gram-negative bacteria, detectable by PCR but often undetectable by culture, may be the source of endotoxin in middle-ear effusions.
Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA.
J R
JR
Dingman
M G
MG
Rayner
S
S
Mishra
Y
Y
Zhang
M D
MD
Ehrlich
J C
JC
Post
G D
GD
Ehrlich
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D018441:Biofilms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008033:Limulus Test; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016870:Neisseriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins