Experimental otitis media with effusion induced by middle ear effusion

Experimental otitis media with effusion was induced in chinchillas by middle ear effusion, which was induced by an injection of immune complex into the tympanic cavity. To elucidate the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion, cytologic and biochemical findings of the effusion and histopathology of the middle ear mucosa of effusion-induced chinchillas were compared with those of experimental otitis media with effusion induced by different procedures; eustachian tube obstruction, intratympanic inoculation of endotoxin, and immune reaction. No significant differences were seen in cytology, biochemistry, and histopathology among OMEs induced by these procedures. However, middle ear effusions, when compared with the corresponding sera, were proven to contain higher amounts of histamine and prostaglandin E2. These findings seem to demonstrate that middle ear effusion containing a large number of inflammatory mediators is essential for induction and prolongation of inflammatory reaction in the middle ear.