Alpha streptococcal antigens and the specific antibody against them in middle ear effusion

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the pathological significance of bacterial flora on adenoid in otitis media with effusion. On the bacterial investigation on adenoids, S. mitis and S. sanguis were found to be major bacterial species. Therefore, We measured the antigen titers of alpha streptococci and the specific antibody titers to the antigens in middle ear effusion by ELISA. The alpha streptococcal antigens were detected in 24.4% of samples with the range of 1×10⁴ to 1×10⁸ CFU/ml. The IgG to S. mitis was detected in all samples, and the mean antibody titer was 59.94±7.43 times to that of volunteer's serum.