Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Feb;45(2):111-113.

Expression of Mast Cell Tryptase in the Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

• Jang CH
• Kim YH
• Jung JK

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mast cells are localized in the middle ear and Eustachian tube. They play a prominent role in the inflammatory and allergic conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate if different inflammatory reactions depend on whether patients are allergic or not by measuring concentration of the mast cell tryptase that reflects the mast cell activity. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-five patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) were studied. Thirteen patients were confirmed allergy positive by multiallergosorbent test. Mast cell tryptase in the middle ear effusions was measured using western blotting.
RESULTS
Mast cell tryptase was more strongly expressed in the effusions with allergy positive than in the allergy negative (p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
There was a correlation between mast cell tryptase from MEE and allergy, so we conclude that allergy plays a role in the pathogenesis of COME.

Keyword

Otitis; Media; Effusion; Allergy; Mast cell; Tryptase

MeSH Terms

Blotting, Western
Ear, Middle
Eustachian Tube
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Mast Cells*
Otitis Media with Effusion*
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Tryptases*
Tryptases