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Pseudomonas otitis media after eustachian tube obstruction
P J Antonelli1, S K Juhn, M V Goycoolea
1Otitis Media Research Center, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis.
Summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) increases middle ear susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. This suggests tubal dysfunction may contribute to chronic suppurative otitis media development.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa can infect the middle ear via the eustachian tube.
- Acute otitis media (AOM) increases susceptibility to Pseudomonas infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of otitis media with effusion (OME) on middle ear susceptibility to P. aeruginosa.
- To determine if eustachian tube obstruction influences Pseudomonas infection risk.
Main Methods:
- Chinchilla eustachian tubes were obstructed to induce OME.
- OME was confirmed in 8/11 animals and persisted for 6 months.
- Animals (OME and control) were nasally inoculated with P. aeruginosa.
Main Results:
- Pseudomonas otitis media developed in 8/11 OME ears versus 4/20 control ears (p=0.003).
- No infections occurred in OME ears without effusion.
- This confirms P. aeruginosa can infect the middle ear through the eustachian tube.
Conclusions:
- Eustachian tube dysfunction, leading to OME, increases middle ear susceptibility to P. aeruginosa.
- Tubal dysfunction may predispose to chronic suppurative otitis media by enhancing susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.