Squamous metaplasia and BCL-6 in pediatric adenoid accompanied by otitis media with effusion.
OBJECTIVE
Deterioration of local immunity in the adenoids may make them vulnerable to infection by microorganisms, resulting in otitis media with effusion. To determine the factors associated with this condition, we evaluated adenoid size, mucosal barrier, squamous changes of ciliated epithelium, IgA secretion, and BCL-6 expression in adenoids.


METHODS
Seventeen children diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME group) and 20 children without any history of OME (control group) were enrolled. Their adenoids were sized by lateral view X-ray and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to detect squamous metaplasia. The adenoids were also stained with cytokeratin to evaluate mucosal barriers, and with anti- IgA antibody and anti- BCL-6 antibody to determine expression of IgA and BCL-6.


RESULTS
The OME group showed greater incidence of squamous metaplasia, fewer ciliated cells, and lower expression of BCL-6 (p < 0.05 each). Deterioration of the mucosal barrier was detected in the OME group (p > 0.05). IgA secretion and adenoid size were the same for the OME and the control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that increased squamous metaplasia and lower BCL-6 expression in adenoids may be associated with increased susceptibility to OME.
Yeo
Seung Geun
SG
Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-702, Korea.
Park
Dong Choon
DC
Choo
Jae Hak
JH
Cha
Chang Il
CI
D000234:Adenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 / Q000032:analysis*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6; D007633:Keratins