Bacterial otitis media: a new non-invasive rat model.
This study describes the development of a physiological rat model for otitis media. The model is based on the assumption that bacteria, intranasally introduced into the nasopharynx, will be transferred into the middle ear cavity during swallowing provided that the ambient air pressure is higher than the middle ear pressure. This model demonstrates that small pressure changes, generated in a pressure cabin under controlled conditions, can be used as driving force for the transfer of bacteria into the middle ear cavity resulting in bilateral otitis media. Because invasive techniques or biochemical agents are not applied, this model is suited to investigate immunological aspects of otitis media, including the effects of vaccination.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Philips van Leydenlaan 15, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. e.tonnaer@kno.umcn.nl
Edith L G M
EL
Tonnaer
Elisabeth A M
EA
Sanders
Jo H A J
JH
Curfs
D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005070:Evans Blue; D005260:Female; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014783:Viscosity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D005070:Evans Blue