Int. Adv. Otol. 2010; 6(2); 269-273

The role of IL-8 in different types of otitis media and bacteriological correlation
Shawky Elmorsy, Yousef K. Shabana,  Asser Abdel Raouf, , Mohamed EL Naggar, Tamer Bedir,  Sehar Taher, Mohamed Fath-Aallah
Mansoura University, Egypt

Objective: To isolate and identify the different bacterial pathogens causing acute otitis media (AOM), Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and secretory otitis media (OME). Also to evaluate the role of IL-8 in different type of otitis media (OM).

Study design: Middle ear fluids were collected from 103 patients suffering from different types of OM. Patients separated into 3 groups: group I (AOM), group II (CSOM) and group III (OME). Middle ear fluid was collected and subjected to bacteriological study and assessment of IL-8.

Results: Positive cultures were detected in 68.7% in group I, 88.1% in group II while no bacterial growth was detected in group III. IL-8 was detected in the 3 groups with statistical significance between the 3 groups, it was evident between group I and III and between group II and III. There was significant correlation between the results of bacterial culture and the level of IL-8.

Conclusions: IL-8 plays a role in the development of chronicity of OM. It has intimate relation to the bacterial growth; it acts as a chemo-attractant to neutrophils into the middle ear fluid.