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Hydrolase activity in middle ear effusions. Effect of antibiotic therapy
W F Diven1, W J Doyle, B Vietmeier
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213.
Abstract:
Hydrolytic enzymes have been shown to be present in middle ear effusions recovered from children with both persistent and acute otitis media. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ampicillin therapy on the expression of hydrolytic enzyme activity in acute middle ear effusions using the chinchilla animal model. The median values of enzyme activities were lower for the ampicillin-treated animals when compared with the nontreated control animals. For the ampicillin-treated animals, eight of 12 assayed activities were characterized by a time-dependent decay of enzymatic activity. For the untreated animals, the majority of assayed activities (seven of 12) showed an increase in activity with time. These results show that sterilization of the middle ear cleft and elimination of the hydrolytic enzyme activity may be benefits of antimicrobial therapy and prerequisite to the healing of the inflamed mucosa.
Insights
Ampicillin therapy reduced hydrolytic enzyme activity in acute otitis media middle ear effusions. This suggests antimicrobial treatment aids healing by clearing enzymes and sterilizing the middle ear.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hydrolytic enzymes are present in middle ear effusions of children with otitis media.
- Understanding enzyme activity changes during infection and treatment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ampicillin therapy on hydrolytic enzyme activity in acute otitis media middle ear effusions.
- To utilize the chinchilla animal model for studying otitis media treatment effects.
Main Methods:
- Chinchilla model of acute otitis media.
- Assay of 12 hydrolytic enzyme activities in middle ear effusions.
- Comparison between ampicillin-treated and untreated control groups.
Main Results:
- Ampicillin-treated animals showed significantly lower median hydrolytic enzyme activities compared to controls.
- Eight of 12 enzyme activities decayed over time in ampicillin-treated animals.
- Seven of 12 enzyme activities increased over time in untreated animals.
Conclusions:
- Ampicillin therapy reduces hydrolytic enzyme activity in acute otitis media.
- Sterilization of the middle ear cleft and elimination of enzyme activity are potential benefits of antimicrobial therapy.
- Reduced enzyme activity may be a prerequisite for healing inflamed middle ear mucosa.