Does Helicobacter pylori have a role in the development of chronic otitis media with effusion? A preliminary study

To investigate the possible relationship between chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and Helicobacter pylori (HP).

Twenty-five patients (7 girls and 18 boys; age range 2-10 years, mean age 7.8 years) with COME with or without adenotonsillary disease were included in this study. Myringotomy was performed on all patients. Nine patients also underwent adenoidectomy, and 10 patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. The adenoidectomy specimens and middle ear effusions were examined for HP colonization by the Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test. Adenoidectomy specimens were also evaluated for HP using immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation. Before surgery, anti-HP immunoglobulin G (IgG) and A (IgA) antibody titres were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the venous blood samples of the patients.

The CLO test results were not positive in any of the adenoidectomy specimens and middle ear effusions. IHC examination also revealed that none of the adenoid tissue specimens had a positive HP result. The anti-HP IgG antibody was detected to be positive in eight patients (32%), and IgA antibody was detected in three patients (12%). In three patients (12%), both IgA and IgG antibodies were positive.

We were unable to detect the presence of HP in the middle ear effusions and adenoid specimens of children with COME. Owing to the small size of the group in our study, we propose that further studies be carried out with larger study and control groups in an effort to explain the presence of HP in middle ear effusions.