The effect of chronic otitis media on the immunoreactivity of human inner ear

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Vol. 258; no. 10; pp. 529 - 532
• Main Authors: JOKAY, Istvan, PAPP, Zoltan, SOOS, Györgyike, SZIKLAI, Istvan, DEZSÖ, Balazs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-12-2001
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Cadaver; Chronic Disease; Culture Techniques; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Ear, Inner - immunology; Ear, Inner - pathology; Ent. Stomatology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - immunology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - pathology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Non tumoral diseases; Otitis Media - immunology; Otitis Media - pathology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Reference Values; Sensitivity and Specificity; Temporal Bone; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Immune response; Pathogenesis; Middle ear disease; Auditory disorder; Exploration; Experimental study; Inner ear; Pathology; Chronic; Autopsy; ENT disease; Complication; Otitis media; Perception hearing loss; Cadaver; Immune system
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s004050100384

Twenty temporal bones (TBs) were removed from autopsy cases and prepared for immunohistochemical examination. Ten TBs were free of ear disease whereas the other ten TBs showed the signs of chronic otitis media. Expression of markers for monocyte-macrophages (25F9, 27E10) and natural killer cells (anti-Leu-11) was examined immunohistochemically. There were no specific positive stainings with 25F9 or anti-Leu-11 antibodies in any of the specimens. Staining for 27E10 was found to be negative in each section obtained from normal cochlea. However, 27E10 positivity was detected in three of ten TBs with signs of chronic ear inflammation. This positivity can be explained by two theories: (1) activated monocytes can enter the inner ear from the systemic circulation as a consequence of chronic antigen challenge; (2) mesothelial cells could become activated as a result of a cross-reaction, with resultant positivity. Development of sensorineural hearing loss in some cases of chronic otitis media may be due to these immunological reactions.