Increased Expression of Major Basic Protein (MBP) and Interleukin-5 (IL-5) in Middle Ear Biopsy Specimens from Atopic Patients with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Molecular biologic evidence to support an etiologic role for allergy in the pathogenesis of persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article was to document expression of allergy-associated Th-2-type cytokines and inflammatory cells in the middle ear mucosa of children with persistent OME. METHODS: With immunocytochemistry (CDS, major basic protein) and in situ hybridization (interleukin-5 mRNA), middle ear biopsy specimens from 7 children with persistent OME were stained. Nonatopic stapedectomy patients with no history of otitis media served as controls (n = 7). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant ( P < 0.05) difference in expression of CDS, major basic protein, and interleukin-5 between experimental and control subjects. All 8 OME patients proved to be atopic by ELISA testing. CONCLUSIONS: Type I allergy involving a Th-2-type cytokine and cellular profile may be a contributing factor in the persistence of OME in atopic children. SIGNIFICANCE: The middle ear may serve as a target organ for allergic inflammation, suggesting that appropriate allergy management may be a useful adjunct to the management of OME.