Otitis media with effusion following inoculation of Haemophilus influenzae type b endotoxin.

Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS) was extracted from Haemophilus influenzae type b by using Westphal's phenol water method. The ears of 40 adult male guinea pigs were subsequently inoculated with 10 micrograms/ml solutions of LPS by transmeatal injections. Groups of animals were then sacrificed from day 2 to day 24 after the injections to observe the pathological changes produced. Massive serous effusions filled the tympanic bullae on days 2 and 4, after which the amount of fluid present gradually decreased so that it could hardly be seen on day 11. Pathological changes found in the mucosa included marked interstitial edema, dilated capillaries, as well as elevated and thickened epithelium with intracellular edema. These findings gradually subsided by day 24. We believe that the major pathogenetic factors present were due to the transudation and injury of the middle ear epithelium disturbing mucociliary transport activity, with increased secretions participating somewhat in inducing the effusion. We further suggest that H. influenzae endotoxin may play an active role in the clinical development of otitis media with effusion.