Spontaneous immunoglobulin production by adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes in relation to age and otitis media with effusion.

Spontaneous immunoglobulin (Ig) production by autologous adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes cultured without any mitogen was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 18 children with or without otitis media with effusion (OME). Both IgG and IgA levels synthesized by adenoidal or tonsillar lymphocytes significantly increased with age. The average concentrations of IgG and IgA produced by adenoidal lymphocytes from children with OME were significantly lower than those from children without OME. Adenoidal lymphocytes produced IgG and IgM at significantly lower levels than autologous tonsillar lymphocytes did in children with OME. In contrast, no significant difference between adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes was seen on Ig production for any isotypes in children without OME. These results may indicate immunological impairment of the adenoids associated with OME.