Otitis media and the Australian aboriginal.

Australia's aboriginal population, which numbers 150,000 persons, suffers much more from otitis media than does the nonaboriginal population, which numbers 15,000,000. Moreover, the clinical presentation, course, and pathology of otitis media in aboriginals have features that differ from what are considered usual. Problems of isolation, communication, and socioeconomic circumstances require that specially designed treatment projects be set up. Debate continues as to why aboriginal otitis media behaves so differently, and theories cover the full range: genetic factors, environment, protein-calorie malnutrition and immunity mechanisms, allergies, different microbiology, and so on. Current research may point up a link to ocular trachoma. The process of spontaneous healing of drum perforations is being studied in an attempt to identify those factors that may delay or prevent such healing.