Since the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion is not clearly identified, a number of investigators have attempted to examine the biochemical composition of middle ear-effusion in an effort to know the sources of the effusions.
Middle ear fluids from 37 patients(43 ears) with otitis media with effusion (O.M.E" were analysed by comparing elements of the fluid with patient´s serum, and also investigated the influence of the tendency to recurrence, allergy, duration of illness and draining ear after intubation.
The obtained results were summerized as follows;
1. Total protein and p, r globulin were more increased in effusion than in serum.
Albumin and a2 globulin in effusion were more decreased than in serum, IgG and IgA were highly concentrated in effusion and IgE was more increased in serum(p<0.05)
2. Total protein and r globulin were more increased in mucoid effusion than in serous effusion, albumin and az globulin were more decreased in mucoid effusion (p<0.05), and IgG, IgA and IgE were more increased in mucoid effusion (p<0.05).
3. The longer the duration of illness, the more total protein and globulin increased, and IgG, IgA and IgE seem to be slightly increased but no difference with characteristics of effusion.
4. Tendency to recurrance, allergy and draining ear after intubation were not significantly related with protein pattern and immune globuin in effusion.
5. A/G ratio was affected by the duration of illness, that is, the shorter the duration of illness, the greater A/G ratio, and the longer the duration of illness, the lesser A/G ratio,. however, IgG/IgA ratio and E/S ratio of IgE were not significantly affected by the characteristics of fluid, the duration of illness and others.
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