[Evidence of viral aetiology in exudative otitis media in childhood (author's transl)].

Many clinical observations point to a primary viral cause in exudative otitis media. This seromucinous inflammation may then develop into a purulent inflammatory phase as a result of subsequent bacterial infection. The aetiology of otitis media may thus be viral, viral bacterial or bacterial. Viruses and bacteria multiply in a different manner within the organism. They also give rise to different defence reactions and physical signs of their different pathogenic effects. Viral otitis is characterised by proliferative tissue changes, such as telangiectatic granulations, adhesions, cholesteatomas and limitation of pneumatisation of the mastoids. Destructive tissue damage is predominant in bacterial infections, e.g., tympanic perforations and bone destruction. 100 children were examined virologically during acute exudative otitis media and in the presence of a cholesteatoma. Viral aetiology was proved in many cases and viral antigens were demonstrated in the cholesteatomatous material.