Detection of Helicobacter pylori in the middle ear fluid of patients with otitis media with effusion.

摘要

OBJECTIVES: In patients with otitis media with effusion (OME), colonization of the middle ear effusion (MEE) by Helicobacter pylori (HP) was investigated. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective nonrandomized study with nonpaired, nonmatched controls. Smear preparations were immunostained with anti-HP antibody and were subjected to Gram staining and Giemsa staining. The rapid urease test (CLO) was done. RESULTS: Twelve of 15 smears for MEE were positive for HP by immunohistochemistry and 14 by Giemsa that were Gram-negative. In 3 with positive immunohistochemistry, the CLO was positive. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that HP may exist in the MEE of some patients with OME.