[Infective factors of adult secretory otitis media].

There were histories of the upper expiratory tract infection in 49 out of 86 cases in adult secretory otitis media (SOM). Among them, thirty two cases were administrated antibiotics a week ago when the effusions were collected. The patient's Eustachian tubes in twenty nine cases were clinically ventilated. The endotoxins were positive in 39 out of 86 specimen tested with limulus assay, among these specimen, bacteria were cultured from 11 specimen. The data exibited that the appearance of the SOM is related to the existence of the infective factors in the middle ear cavity. The upper expiratory tract infection before the onset of the middle ear effusions is one of the important causes inducing the disease. The lower rate of bacteria culture than that of endotoxins is related with the administration of antibiotics before the onset of the disease. The administration of antibiotics in the treatment of the middle ear effusions will help to elimilate bacteria in the cavity of the middle ear effusions, improve the ventilating function of the Eustachian tube and make the effusions turn to disappearance.