Detection of genomic sequences of respiratory syncytial virus in otitis media with effusion in children.

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and the nested polymerase chain reaction were used for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sequences in middle ear effusions collected from children with otitis media. Sequences of RSV were detected in 21 of 34 samples tested. These samples were collected during and/or after natural outbreaks of RSV infection in the community. In those patients from whose nasopharynges RSV was isolated, the viral sequences were highly detectable (75%) in the effusions. These observations suggest RSV as an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.