Comparison of cytokine levels in bilateral ear effusions in patients with otitis media secretoria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the site of primary pathology in otitis media with effusion. The levels of the inflammatory mediators TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-gamma were measured in 54 pairs (108 samples) using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-8, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, and cytokines with immunoregulatory potential IFN-gamma, IL-2 were different between both ears of the same patient. The results suggest that in one individual both ears have different immunological processes or rates and this has implications on using the opposite ear as a control in clinical trials. Profiles of interlink of examined cytokines within the samples of both ear effusions were significantly different. A significant bilateral difference was found in the levels of IFN-gamma.