Willis R
Am J Otol. 1985 Jul;6(4):316-22.
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.
澳大利亚有15万原住民，他们患中耳炎的情况比1500万非原住民要严重得多。此外，原住民中耳炎的临床表现、病程和病理特征与通常情况有所不同。由于隔离、沟通以及社会经济环境等问题，需要设立专门设计的治疗项目。关于原住民中耳炎为何表现得如此不同的争论仍在继续，理论涵盖了方方面面：遗传因素、环境、蛋白质 - 热量营养不良和免疫机制、过敏、不同的微生物学等等。目前的研究可能指出与眼部沙眼存在关联。正在研究鼓膜穿孔的自然愈合过程，以试图找出那些可能延迟或阻止这种愈合的因素。
