Characterization of cytokines present in pediatric otitis media with effusion: comparison of allergy positive and negative.

To investigate the possible relationship between allergy and otitis media with effusion (OME), we investigated the cytokine level in the middle ear effusion (MEE)s of children with persistent OME. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the MEEs were measured by devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared allergy positive group with allergy negative group. The mean levels of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in MEE were significantly higher in allergy positive group than allergy negative group (P<0.05). Elevation of Th-2-driven cytokines (IL-4, IL-6) and TNF-alpha in MEEs may be a contributing factor in the persistence of OME with allergy.