Cell adhesion molecules and cytokines in middle ear effusions in children with or without recent acute otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare the levels of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules in middle ear effusions (MEEs) of children with (group 1) or without (group 2) acute otitis media (AOM) within 3 months of obtaining MEE and to correlate these levels with hearing loss.


METHODS
MEE were collected from children (49 and 51 children composed groups 1 and 2, respectively) with otitis media with effusion (OME) undergoing tube placement who had an audiogram performed preoperatively. MEE was assessed as serous or mucoid. Cytokines and cell adhesion molecules were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed with the Student t test, chi(2) test, and the Pearson correlation test.


RESULTS
Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM) were greater in the MEE of the children in group 1 compared with those of group 2 children. (P < 0.001 for IL-1 and IL-6; P < 0.05 for VCAM). The concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, VCAM, and E-selectin were greater in serous than in mucoid MEE. (P < 0.05). Concentrations of IL-6 correlated with the concentrations of the other 2 cytokines and the 3 cell adhesion molecules. Only concentrations of IL-6 in MEE correlated with the degree of hearing loss (P < 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The inflammatory response leading to OME involves multiple cytokines regardless of an AOM episode in the 3 months before obtaining MEE. IL-6 is an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of OME.
Russo
Eyal
E
Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. skaplan@bcm.tmc.edu
Smith
C Wayne
CW
Friedman
Ellen M
EM
Smith
E O'Brian
EO
Kaplan
Sheldon L
SL
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000378:metabolism*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D019040:E-Selectin; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1