Heterophile antibodies in middle ear effusions.

By means of hemolysis in agar gel, heterophile antibodies were demonstrated in middle ear effusions (MEEs) and corresponding sera of patients with otitis media with effusion. These antibodies were shown to belong to the IgM class. Absorption and inhibition studies revealed that these antibodies were of Forssman or Hanganutziu-Deicher specificity or a mixture of both. In some patients, titers of these heterophile antibodies were substantially higher in MEE than in corresponding sera, suggesting that a local immune system similar to gut-associated lymphoid tissue or bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue may operate in the middle ear.