Author Year ( ) ref
No. of cases
No. of cases
Experimental models
Methods
Relevant results
Association. (Level of evidence)
Sobol et al. 2002 (15)
N=26
N=26
Middle ear fluid specimens collected during myringotomy in OME patients (Children).
Fluid specimens were assessed by means of immunocytochemistry for T lymphocytes (CD3), eosinophils (major basic protein), neutrophils (elastase), mast-cells (tryptase) and basophils (BB1). IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ were assessed by using in-situ hybridization,
Higher percentage of eosinophils, IL-4, IL-5 and T lymphocytes in patients with atopic OME compared with non-atopic ones. Higher percentage of neutrophils and INF-gamma in non-atopic patients with OME.
Yes (Level V)
Nguyen et al. 2004 (16)
N=55
N=55
Human torus tubarius and adenoid tissues collected during adenoidectomy (children).
Cellular and cytokine profiles were measured by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.
Predominant Th2 cytokine expression and infiltration of eosinophils in atopic patientscompared with the non-atopic ones.
Yes (Level V)
Wright et al. 2000 (17)
N=14
N=14
Middle ear biopsy from children with persistent OME. (children).
Expression of CD3, majorbasicprotein (immunocytochemistry), IL-5 mRNA (in situ hybridization) in mucosa of persistent OME patients vs controls.
Predominant expression of CD3, major basic protein, and IL-5 in atopic persistent OME vs controls.
Yes (Level V)
Downs, et al. 2001 (23)
N=13
N=13
Rat model
Measure of mucociliary clearance and passive opening and closing pressures of ET after challenge with either trans-tympanic or intranasal histamine
Increase in mucociliary clearance times and passive opening and closing pressures with trans-tympanic histamine vs control solution.
Yes (Level V)
Hardy et al. 2001 (24)
N/A
N/A
Rat model Brown Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin and later challenged trans-tympanically.
ET ventilatory function and mucociliary clearance were assessed 2, 4, 8, 24, 28- and 32-hours post-challenge.
Exposure to transtympanic allergen induces ET dysfunction and subsequent formation of effusion and a decreased ability to actively clear middle ear pressure in allergic animals.
Yes (Level V)
Pollok 2002 (25)
N/A
N/A
Brown-Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged trans-tympanically.
Two groups of rats received soluble IL-4 receptors (sIL-4R) and IL-5 antibodies (IL-5Ab) trans-tympanically 1 hour before challenge.
sIL-4R-pre-treated rats showed no significant changes in ventilatory or clearance functions of the ET, whereas IL-5Ab group showed significant late ventilatory and clearance dysfunction as well as inflammatory mucosal changes.
Yes (Level V)