Cytokine gene polymorphism in recurrent acute otitis media.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence that a strong genetic component is involved in the predisposition to recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM). Cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of otitis media. Constitutional polymorphisms in cytokine genes may lead to individual variations in cytokine secretion.


OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in rAOM.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Blood samples for genetic analysis were obtained from 63 individuals with rAOM from 20 different families and from 400 healthy blood donors. The medical history of the rAOM group was based on medical records and interview data. We studied the polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL) 1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-1 receptor antagonist genes.


RESULTS
The distribution of cytokine alleles in the rAOM group did not differ significantly from that of the control group. However, in patients with rAOM without a history of allergic disorders, allele frequencies of IL-1 alpha-889 differed significantly from those of controls (P =.03).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no clear association between the polymorphism of studied cytokine genes and rAOM. However, the IL-1 alpha gene polymorphism may be associated with recurrent middle ear infections in a subgroup of patients without allergic disorders.
Joki-Erkkilä
Veli-Pekka
VP
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland. vp.jokierkkila@nokianlaakariasema.fi
Puhakka
Heikki
H
Hurme
Mikko
M
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012008:Recurrence; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha