Role of extra-esophageal reflux in chronic otitis media with effusion. Laryngoscope 2007 Aug;117(8):1419-23
Date
06/23/2007Pubmed ID
17585281DOI
10.1097/MLG.0b013e318064f177Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34548462940 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 89 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of childhood hearing loss. Despite its prevalence, the enormous health care expenditures resulting from its treatment, and the increasing therapeutic challenges imposed by antimicrobial resistance, very little is known regarding the cellular and molecular immunologic and inflammatory events in this disease process. Extra-esophageal reflux (EER) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic OME. The objective of this study was to confirm that children with OME have EER into the middle ear as measured by the presence of pepsin in middle ear effusions (MEE) removed during tympanostomy tube (TT) placement.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, translational, cell biological research study.
METHODS: MEE were obtained from children undergoing TT placement for OME. The fluid was lysed in a urea buffer and the presence of pepsin quantitatively determined by Western blot analysis using a specific antipepsin antibody. The pH of the samples was recorded before lysis.
RESULTS: Pepsin protein was detected in 18 of 32 (56%) samples analyzed, with 12 of 20 (60%) patients having at least one positive sample for pepsin. Pepsin levels ranged from 80 to 1,000 ng/mL. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.0 to 7.6, with a mean pH of 6.8.
CONCLUSIONS: Pepsin was detected in 60% of patients with OME, confirming that EER into the middle ear occurs in these children. The pepsin present would have little or no activity at pH 6.0 to 7.6; however, pepsin is stable below pH 8.0 and thus could be reactivated after a decrease in pH.
Author List
Crapko M, Kerschner JE, Syring M, Johnston NAuthors
Nikki Johnston PhD Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinJoseph E. Kerschner MD Provost, Executive Vice President, Dean, Professor in the School of Medicine Administration department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
BiomarkersBlotting, Western
Child
Child, Preschool
Chronic Disease
Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
Female
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Infant
Male
Mass Spectrometry
Middle Ear Ventilation
Otitis Media with Effusion
Pepsin A
Prospective Studies
Severity of Illness Index
