| dc:description | OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the site of primary pathology in otitis media with effusion. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The levels of the inflammatory mediators TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-gamma were measured in 54 pairs (108 samples) using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). RESULTS: The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-8, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, and cytokines with immunoregulatory potential IFN-gamma, IL-2 were different between both ears of the same patient. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in one individual both ears have different immunological processes or rates and this has implications on using the opposite ear as a control in clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE: Profiles of interlink of examined cytokines within the samples of both ear effusions were significantly different. A significant bilateral difference was found in the levels of IFN-gamma. |
|---|
