[Bacterial quantification and anti-bacterial antibodies in otitis media with effusion in children]

Quantification of bacterial flora in middle ear effusions (MEE) and adenoids in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) was performed. IgG, IgA and IgM titers against H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, S. mitis, S. sanguis, and S. salivarius were measured in MEE, sera and the supernatant of adenoid lymphocyte cultures. The adenoid lymphocytes were stimulated by each inactivated bacteria species for 7 days, before antibody titers were measured. Seven species were detected in 6 of 18 MEE samples (33.3%). Six of these species were also detected in the adenoids of the same cases. Bacterial identification of flora in adenoids was as follows. S. pneumoniae: 8, H. influenzae: 4, B catarrhalis: 4, S. mitis: 9, S. sanguis: 8, S. salivarius: 12 of cases. The antibody titers against bacteria from adenoids in MEE and the supernatant were significantly higher than those of the group in which no species were detected. These specific antibodies in MEE inactivate bacteria from the adenoid, but the immune complex probably plays some part in chronic inflammation of the middle ear.