Immune complexes in otitis media with effusion.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of the chronicity of otitis media with effusion (OME). The levels of the IgG-immune complexes (IC) in middle ear effusions (MEE) were determined by using anti-C3 solid phase ELISA. The clinical significance of IC in OME was investigated, and the results were as follows: 1) IgG-IC levels in MEE were found to be significantly elevated in patients with OME and positive rates of IgG-IC in MEE were 58.3% in acute cases, 54.5% in subacute cases, and 52.5% in chronic cases. 2) There was no correlation between IgG-IC levels and IgG levels in MEE which were determined by single radial immunodiffusion method. These results suggested that immune complexes formed in the middle ear cavity might play an important role in the prolonged inflammatory process of OME.