耳管と免疫・アレルギー

抄録

The effect of oral immunization on nasopharyngeal colonization by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and the influence of nasal allergy on otitis media with effusion (OME) were investigated.
Mice were immunized orally with outer membrane proteins of NTHi and nasopharyngeal clearance of NTHi was examined. IgA antibody activities against NTHi in nasopharygeal secretions were remarkably increased and the number of NTHi cultured from nasopharyngeal lavage was significantly reduced by oral immunization. Sonotubometry showed that the presence of nasal allergy causes tubal dysfunction. Anti-allergic drug was effective to clear middle ear effusion in experimental animal model and in patients with OME and nasal allergy. The results suggest that mucosal immunity in the nasopharynx and nasal allergy are associated with the tubal dysfunction and the pathogenesis of OME.