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09:52
Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Middle ear effusion and fungi.
Atsushi Murakami1, Takesi Tutumi, Kensuke Watanabe
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Japan.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|September 28, 2012
Summary
Fungi were found in all cases of middle ear effusion in patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) and eosinophilic otitis media. This suggests fungi may play a role in the development of these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common, but bacterial or viral causes are rarely identified.
- Endotoxins in middle ear effusions suggest prior gram-negative infections, but the role of other microorganisms is less understood.
- Fungi are increasingly recognized as potential pathogens in chronic sinonasal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and potential role of fungi in middle ear effusions.
- To examine middle ear effusions from patients with OME and eosinophilic otitis media (EOM).
- To correlate fungal presence with clinical characteristics like viscous effusions and asthma history in EOM.
Main Methods:
- Middle ear effusions and nasal secretions were collected from patients with EOM (n=7) and OME (n=12).
- Specimens were processed for methenamine silver staining to detect fungal elements.
- Microscopic examination, including light and electron microscopy, was performed on stained and embedded samples.
Main Results:
- Fungal hyphae were detected in the middle ear fluid of all patients with EOM and OME.
- Charcot-Leyden crystals (CLCs), indicative of eosinophil degranulation, were found in 6/7 EOM patients.
- Fungal hyphae were also present in nasal secretions of all patients; CLCs were rare in nasal secretions.
Conclusions:
- Fungi are consistently present in middle ear effusions in OME and EOM, suggesting a potential causative role.
- The high incidence of CLCs in EOM middle ear fluid points to significant eosinophil involvement, possibly triggered by fungi.
- Fungi may contribute to middle ear inflammation and effusion formation, particularly in EOM, by inducing eosinophil responses.
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