The Role of Bacterial Enzymes in Inducing Inflammation in the Middle Ear Cavity

1979 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 859-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth H. Lowell ◽  
S. K. Juhn

Current knowledge of the pathophysiology of bacterial infections is elementary. The initial events leading to the invasion of host tissues are a matter of conjecture for many bacterial organisms. This is particularly true for pneumococci, the most frequent causative organisms of acute otitis media. Bacterial enzymes may account for the initial disruption of host tissues, and this study explored their role in the infectious process. As a first step, pneumococcal cultures were analyzed, and significant levels of the enzymes lipase and hyaluronidase were demonstrated. Secondly, the presence of these enzymes in middle ear effusions was explored in an animal model of acute otitis media. The enzymes reached peak levels at seven days. The third and most important portion of the study examined the significance of these enzymes in producing inflammation and alterations in the middle ear cavity of normal experimental animals. This portion was a histologic comparison of temporal bone specimens and demonstrated that marked acute and chronic changes can be induced by placing solutions of these enzymes in the middle ear cavity. This study concludes that bacterial enzymes play an important role in the induction of acute otitis media.

Author(s):  
Cecilia Rosso ◽  
Antonio Mario Bulfamante ◽  
Carlotta Pipolo ◽  
Emanuela Fuccillo ◽  
Alberto Maccari ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Cleft palate children have a higher incidence of otitis media with effusion, more frequent recurrent acute otitis media episodes, and worse conductive hearing losses than non-cleft children. Nevertheless, data on adenoidectomy for middle ear disease in this patient group are scarce, since many feared worsening of velopharyngeal insufficiency after the procedure. This review aims at collecting the available evidence on this subject, to frame possible further areas of research and interventions. Methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed. Multiple databases were searched with criteria designed to include all studies focusing on the role of adenoidectomy in treating middle ear disease in cleft palate children. After duplicate removal, abstract and full-text selection, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for clinical indications and outcomes. Results Among 321 unique citations, 3 studies published between 1964 and 1972 (2 case series and a retrospective cohort study) were deemed eligible, with 136 treated patients. The outcomes were positive in all three articles in terms of conductive hearing loss improvement, recurrent otitis media episodes reduction, and effusive otitis media resolution. Conclusion Despite promising results, research on adenoidectomy in treating middle ear disease in the cleft population has stopped in the mid-Seventies. No data are, therefore, available on the role of modern conservative adenoidectomy techniques (endoscopic and/or partial) in this context. Prospective studies are required to define the role of adenoidectomy in cleft children, most interestingly in specific subgroups such as patients requiring re-tympanostomy, given their known risk of otologic sequelae.


1984 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 754-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mills ◽  
Ann Uttley ◽  
Michelle McIntyre

A total of 204 chronic middle ear effusions from 122 children have been studied. Bacteria were isolated from 30 effusions. The commonest species found were Strep. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. These are also the commonest organisms causing acute otitis media (AOM). A similar pattern of serotypes was also demonstrated. In vitro sensitivity testing showed that most of the organisms isolated were sensitive to most commonly-used antibiotics. The main exception was resistance to penicillin amongst strains of H. influenzae and Staph. aureus. It is suggested that some cases of chronic secretory otitis media (SOM) may arise as a result of incomplete resolution of AOM and that the use of penicillin to treat AOM may be one factor in this process.


2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 2373-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saara Sillanpää ◽  
Sami Oikarinen ◽  
Markku Sipilä ◽  
Lenka Kramna ◽  
Markus Rautiainen ◽  
...  

According to studies based on bacterial cultures of middle ear fluids,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenzae, andMoraxella catarrhalishave been the most common pathogens in acute otitis media. However, bacterial culture can be affected by reduced viability or suboptimal growth of bacteria. PCR detects bacterial DNA from samples with greater sensitivity than culture. In the present study, we analyzed the middle ear pathogens with both conventional culture and semiquantitative real-time PCR in 90 middle ear fluid samples obtained from children aged 5 to 42 months during acute otitis media episodes. Samples were tested for the presence ofS. pneumoniae,H. influenzae,M. catarrhalis,Alloiococcusotitidis,Staphylococcus aureus, andPseudomonas aeruginosa. One or more bacterial pathogens were detected in 42 (47%) samples with culture and in 69 (77%) samples with PCR. According to PCR analysis,M. catarrhalisresults were positive in 42 (47%) samples,H. influenzaein 30 (33%),S. pneumoniaein 27 (30%),A. otitidisin 6 (6.7%),S. aureusin 5 (5.6%), andP. aeruginosain 1 (1.1%). Multibacterial etiology was seen in 34 (38%) samples, andM. catarrhaliswas detected in most (85%) of those cases. Fifteen signals forM. catarrhaliswere strong, suggesting a highly probable etiological role of the pathogen. In conclusion, even thoughM. catarrhalisis often a part of mixed flora in acute otitis media, a considerable proportion of cases may be primarily attributable to this pathogen.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-652
Author(s):  
Charles D. Bluestone ◽  
Jerome O. Klein ◽  
Jack L. Paradise ◽  
Heinz Eichenwald ◽  
Fred H. Bess ◽  
...  

GOALS, DEFINITIONS, AND CLASSIFICATION OF OTITIS MEDIA —Charles D. Bluestone, MD The goal of this Workshop was to assess current knowledge concerning the effects of otitis media on the child. Experts in pediatrics, infectious disease, otolaryngology, audiology, speech, linguistics, and psychology met in Chicago on Aug 25, 1982 to participate in this Workshop. A summary of the discussions is presented here. Otitis media is broadly defined as an inflammation of the middle ear without reference to etiology or pathogenesis.1 Otitis media with effusion is an inflammation of the middle ear in which a collection of liquid (i.e., middle ear effusion) is present in the middle ear space (no perforation of the tympanic membrane is present). Atelectasis of the tympanic membrane, which may or may not be associated with otitis media, is defined as either collapse or retraction of the tympanic membrane. Acute otitis media implies a rapid and short onset of signs and symptoms lasting approximately 3 weeks. From 3 weeks to 3 months, the process may be resolving or subacute. If middle ear effusion persists beyond 3 months, the condition is classified as chronic otitis media with effusion. Many terms have been used for acute otitis media, such as "suppurative," "purulent," or "bacterial" otitis media; however, a "serous" effusion may also have an acute onset. Otitis media with effusion unaccompanied by signs and symptoms of acute inflammation has also had a plethora of other names: "serous," "secretory," "nonsuppurative," and "glue ear" have been the most commonly used. EPIDEMIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF OTITIS MEDIA


1996 ◽  
Vol 105 (12) ◽  
pp. 968-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janak A. Patel ◽  
Tommy Sim ◽  
Tasnee Chonmaitree ◽  
Roberto Garofalo ◽  
Mary J. Owen ◽  
...  

In order to evaluate the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in acute otitis media (AOM), levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a potent inflammatory product of PMNs, and interleukin-8 (IL-8), a PMN chemotactic cytokine, were measured in 271 middle ear fluid (MEF) samples from 106 children with AOM. Forty-two percent of the patients had evidence of respiratory viral infection. At the time of diagnosis, levels of both LTB4 and IL-8 were higher in the MEFs from patients with AOM associated with bacterial or bacterial and viral infection than those MEFs containing no pathogen (p < .05). Antibiotic treatment was not associated with a significant change in levels of LTB4 or IL-8 in the MEFs obtained 2 to 5 days into treatment, compared to those obtained at diagnosis. Bacteriologic failure after 2 to 5 days of treatment was associated with high LTB4 levels in the initial MEFs (p = .05). Recurrence of AOM within 1 month was associated with high IL-8 levels in the initial MEF (p = .04). Our findings suggest that LTB4 and IL-8 are produced during acute infection of the middle ear, and these PMN-related inflammatory substances may play an important role in delaying recovery or in recurrence of AOM. Effective treatment of AOM may require eradication of bacteria by antibiotics, as well as pharmacologic agents that modulate PMN functions.


Author(s):  
Cecilia Rosso ◽  
Antonio Bulfamante ◽  
Carlotta Pipolo ◽  
Emanuela Fuccillo ◽  
alberto maccari ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: Cleft palate children have a higher incidence of otitis media with effusion, more frequent recurrent acute otitis media episodes, and worse conductive hearing losses than non-cleft children. Nevertheless, data on adenoidectomy for middle ear disease in this patient group is scarce, since many feared worsening of velopharyngeal insufficiency after the procedure. This review aims at filling this knowledge gap by collecting the available evidence on this subject, to frame possible further areas of research and interventions. DESIGN: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed. Multiple databases were searched with criteria designed to include all studies focusing on the role of adenoidectomy in treating middle ear disease in cleft palate children. After duplicate removal, abstract and full-text selection, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for clinical indications and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 321 unique citations, 3 studies were deemed eligible (2 case series and a retrospective cohort study). The outcomes were positive in all three articles in terms of conductive hearing loss improvement, recurrent otitis media episodes reduction, and effusive otitis media resolution (this last result being not statistically significant). CONCLUSION: Despite promising results, research on adenoidectomy in treating middle ear disease in the cleft population has stopped in the mid-Seventies. No data is therefore available on the role of modern conservative adenoidectomy techniques (endoscopic and/or partial) in this context. Prospective studies are required to define the role of adenoidectomy in cleft children, most interestingly in specific subgroups such as patients requiring re-tympanostomy, given their known risk of otologic sequelae.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 698-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasnee Chonmaitree ◽  
Virgil M. Howie ◽  
Allan L. Truant

During a 28-month period, 84 children with acute otitis media were studied by viral and bacterial cultures of middle ear fluid and viral cultures of nasal lavage fluid. Viruses were isolated from the middle ear fluid of 17 (20%) patients. Evidence of viral infection was demonstrated by positive viral cultures of middle ear fluid and/or nasal lavage fluid in 33 (39%) patients. Rhinovirus in one patient and influenza b virus in another were the only pathogens isolated. Influenza virus, enterovirus, and rhinovirus were the most common viruses found in middle ear fluids. Parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus were found less often. In 82% of cases, the virus isolated from middle ear fluid was also isolated from nasal lavage fluid, but only 44% of viruses found in nasal lavage fluid were also found in middle ear fluid. Mixed bacterial and combined viral-bacterial infections were common. Only 15% of patients had no pathogen isolated from middle ear fluids. Using tissue culture techniques, we demonstrated that enterovirus and rhinovirus are also common middle ear pathogens. Our data reemphasize the significance of viruses as etiologic agents of acute otitis media and propose several questions regarding the viral-bacterial interactions and the types of viruses involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-647
Author(s):  
Jerome O. Klein

Dr. Strauss has concisely summarized present considerations of the role of encapsulated and nonencapsulated Hemophilus influenzae in infection and disease. A recent clinical review by Turk and May1 documents the predominance of Hemophilus influenzae type B in suppurative disease. In a survey of reports of cases of meningitis due to this agent, the authors found only 24 cases due to Hemophilus influenzae other than type B(type A = 6, type E = 1, type F = 3, and non-typable 14). The role of nonencapsulated Hemophilus influenzae strains in the pathogenesis of respiratory infections and otitis media is still unclear. The majority of H. influenzae strains isolated from the middle ear fluids of children with acute otitis media are nonencapsulated.2,3


1994 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
P ANTONELLI ◽  
S JUHN ◽  
C LE ◽  
G GIEBINK

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7868
Author(s):  
Su Young Jung ◽  
Dokyoung Kim ◽  
Dong Choon Park ◽  
Sung Soo Kim ◽  
Tong In Oh ◽  
...  

Otitis media is mainly caused by upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube dysfunction. If external upper respiratory tract infection is not detected early in the middle ear, or an appropriate immune response does not occur, otitis media can become a chronic state or complications may occur. Therefore, given the important role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the early response to external antigens, we surveyed the role of TLRs in otitis media. To summarize the role of TLR in otitis media, we reviewed articles on the expression of TLRs in acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), chronic otitis media (COM) with cholesteatoma, and COM without cholesteatoma. Many studies showed that TLRs 1–10 are expressed in AOM, OME, COM with cholesteatoma, and COM without cholesteatoma. TLR expression in the normal middle ear mucosa is absent or weak, but is increased in inflammatory fluid of AOM, effusion of OME, and granulation tissue and cholesteatoma of COM. In addition, TLRs show increased or decreased expression depending on the presence or absence of bacteria, recurrence of disease, tissue type, and repeated surgery. In conclusion, expression of TLRs is associated with otitis media. Inappropriate TLR expression, or delayed or absent induction, are associated with the occurrence, recurrence, chronicization, and complications of otitis media. Therefore, TLRs are very important in otitis media and closely related to its etiology.


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