Rhinovirus RNA in children with longstanding otitis media with effusion.
BACKGROUND
Earlier studies indicate that respiratory viruses may play a role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME).


OBJECTIVE
To study the presence of rhinovirus RNA in middle ear mucosa in children with OME without signs of present acute infection.


METHODS
Eighteen children scheduled for tympanostomy tube placement due to longstanding OME were recruited and a biopsy of the promontory mucosa was obtained. In addition, adenoidectomy was performed for eight of these children and a biopsy of adenoid tissue was taken as well. The samples were collected from December to May. Rhinovirus RNA was studied by in situ hybridization (ISH).


RESULTS
Seven out of eight adenoid biopsies were positive for rhinovirus by ISH. However, rhinovirus RNA was not found in any of the 18 middle ear biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that children with longstanding OME do not have a rhinovirus infection in the middle ear mucosa, although the same children frequently harbor large amounts of rhinovirus RNA in their adenoid tissue.
Pitkäranta
Anne
A
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Helsinki, PL 220, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. anne.pitkaranta@hus.fi
Rihkanen
Heikki
H
Carpén
Olli
O
Vaheri
Antti
A
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000379:methods; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology*; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D004279:DNA, Viral