Cellular immune response of adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes to the P6 outer membrane protein of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and its relation to otitis media.

Cellular immune responses to the P6 outer membrane protein of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) were determined in vitro by measuring immunoglobulin (Ig) secreting cells and lymphocyte proliferation in adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes from 19 children. Preliminary tests showed that P6 did not stimulate naive cells such as cord blood lymphocytes, but did stimulate sensitized cells in adenoids and tonsils. Cellular proliferation was significantly higher in adenoidal lymphocytes than in tonsillar lymphocytes (median: quadratile of stimulation index = 3.7:2.3-5.5 vs. 1.2:1.0-2.1, p < 0.02). A comparison between children with or without otitis media revealed that proliferative responses to P6 of adenoidal lymphocytes from children with otitis media were significantly decreased (2.0:1.8-3.6 vs. 3.7:2.3-5.5, p < 0.04). P6-specific antibody secreting cells were identified in a total of 14 adenoids and the number of cells secreting IgA was decreased in the otitis media group compared to controls (median: quadratile/10(6) cells = 435:359-499 vs. 755:593-1870, p < 0.05). Cultivation with P6 stimulated IgA secretion in children without otitis media, while no response was seen in children with otitis media (median: quadratile/10(6) cells = 1323:915-2410 vs. 2240:1900-2830, p < 0.02). These preliminary data demonstrate that lymphocytes from adenoids and tonsils recognize P6 as a specific antigen and that the adenoid is the more reactive of the two organs. Impaired P6-specific cellular immune responses of adenoids in children with otitis media may explain the recurrent nature of otitis media due to NTHi in the otitis prone population.     

Adenoid infection: its relationship to otitis media, glue ear and tonsillitis

In a prospective study, 69 children admitted for adenoidectomy were divided into 4 subgroups according to their symptomatology. These were: nasal obstruction alone; glue ear; recurrent ear aches and probable otitis media; and recurrent sore throats and probable tonsillitis. The adenoids removed were bacteriologically analysed to assess both the spectrum of organisms present and the colony counts per gram of adenoid tissue (10(5) organisms per gram was regarded as representing infection). There was no significant difference between the subgroups with regard to either the presence of infection or the spectrum of organisms grown. We conclude that while infection in the adenoid bed must be involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial otitis media, the concentration of organisms present in the adenoids is unimportant and other factors must be responsible for the migration of organisms up the Eustachian tube.     

Nasal nitric oxide in children with adenoidal hypertrophy: A preliminary study

Objective

Nasal nitric oxide, a mediator involved in upper airway inflammation, is impaired in children with allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. Normal values are 200-450 parts per billion, but no data are available concerning its levels in children with adenoidal obstruction, predisposing to chronic nasosinusal inflammation. This study aimed to: (1) measure nasal nitric oxide levels in non-allergic children with adenoidal hypertrophy and (2) assess its possible relationship with the degree of adenoidal hypertrophy and other variable (gender, age, body max index, passive smoking exposure, recurrent acute otitis media, recurrent respiratory infections, and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates).

Methods

Eighty-one children with suspected adenoidal hypertrophy underwent nasal fibroendoscopy to assess the degree of adenoidal hypertrophy, and nasal nitric oxide on-line measurements by means of a dedicated chemiluminescence analyser.

Results

Nasal nitric oxide was successfully measured in 35 patients, most of whom had levels >450 parts per billion; the values were significantly higher (p = 0.031) in children with non-obstructive adenoids. There was no significant correlation with any other variable.

Conclusions

Preliminary data show above-normal nasal nitric oxide levels in children with adenoidal hypertrophy, especially those with non-obstructive adenoids. This suggests nitric oxide involvement in recurrent nasopharyngeal inflammation due to adenoidal hypertrophy.     

Otitis media with effusion and chronic upper respiratory tract infection in children: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.

This study was performed to investigate the course of spontaneous recovery from otitis media with effusion in children with chronic rhinosinusitis treated in various ways. One hundred forty-one children between 3 and 10 years of age were selected for the presence of chronic rhinosinusitis and unilateral or bilateral otitis media with effusion. The children were assigned at random to one of four treatment groups, i.e., placebo, amoxicillin combined with xylometazoline hydrochloride nose drops, maxillary sinus drainage, or a combination of the latter two forms of therapy. The follow-up period was 6 months. Drainage of the maxillary sinus had no effect on either the recovery of the chronic upper respiratory tract infection or otitis media with effusion. Amoxicillin combined with xylometazoline nose drops had no significant effect on recovery from the upper respiratory tract infection, but did have a small but significant effect on recovery from otitis media with effusion. However, the general tendency of the upper respiratory tract and ears to recover was poor. Persistence of the chronic upper respiratory tract infection during the follow-up period proved to be a negative prognostic factor with respect to cure of otitis media with effusion. Children with chronic rhinosinusitis as defined in this study appear to have a high risk of developing chronic otitis media with effusion. The results of the study are discussed.     

Alteration of adenoid tissue alkaline and acid phosphatase in children with secretory otitis media

OBJECTIVE: The role of pharyngeal lymphoid tissue in etiopathogenesis of secretory otitis is not yet defined. The influence of tonsillar and adenoid mass, weight, obstruction of naspharyngeal orrifitium, bacterial reservoire or some immunological events are of scientific interest. Tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) are enzymes detected in lymphoid tissue, TNAP as characteristic of B cells, ACP as a characteristic of macrophages and folucullardentritic cells. These enzymes interfere in cell metabolism by removing 5' phosphate group from nucleotides and proteins. Specific activity and kinetic properties were studied in palatinal tonsils and adenoids of children with secretory otitis (OME) and compared with children with recurrent tonsillitis without ear involvement. METHOD: Adenoid and tonsillar tissue of l7 children with OME and 30 children with recurrent tonsillitis were subjected to biochemical investigation using method of releasing of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP). Kinetic parameters as Michaelis-Menten constant were calculated by non-linear regression estimation method. RESULTS: Specific activity of adenoid alkaline phosphatase was lower in children with OME in relation to children with recurrent tonsillitis (t=5.733507, p<0.01). Specific activity of adenoid acid phosphatase was also lower in children with OME (t=3.655456, p<0.01). pH optimum for both enzymes was the same in these two groups of children. Michaelis-Menten constant for both enzymes was significantly higher in adenoid of children with OME than in children with recurrent tonsillitis suggesting lower enzyme affinity for the substrate. CONCLUSION: Differences in specific activities and kinetic properties of adenoid alkaline and acid phosphatases between children with OME and children with recurrent tonsillitis without OME were verified in this study. The results of the study are not able to explain the alteration of alkaline and acid phosphatase characteristics but could point to some possible and specific role of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue in pathogenesis of secretary otitis.     

Medical treatment for rhinosinusitis associated with adenoidal hypertrophy in children: an evaluation of clinical response and changes on magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVES: The association between adenoidal hypertrophy and rhinosinusitis with upper airway inflammation is increasingly recognized; however, no study has used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the changes in adenoid size after medical treatment of rhinosinusitis. METHODS: Thirteen children referred to a tertiary allergy clinic with symptoms of rhinosinusitis received medical treatment over a 4-month period. All underwent MRI before and after treatment. The medical treatment regimen comprised a short course of oral antibiotics and oral steroids and a longer course of oral antihistamines and intranasal steroids. RESULTS: The pretreatment MRI demonstrated enlarged adenoids and rhinosinusitis in all 13 children, with evidence of extensive rhinosinusitis in 9 of the 13. The treatment resulted in an improvement in overall symptom score; the most significant improvement was seen in mouth breathing. The posttreatment MRI showed a statistically significant reduction in adenoid size and adenoid/nasopharynx ratio, which was associated with a significant decrease in sinus involvement on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high association between adenoidal hypertrophy and rhinosinusitis in the context of an allergy clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging can document the changes in adenoid size associated with resolution of rhinosinusitis. Further studies are necessary to validate these pilot data and further assess the effects of medical treatment and the role of MRI in adenoidal hypertrophy.     

Resistant bacteria in the adenoids: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of resistant bacteria in adenoid cultures from children with and without middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms. DESIGN: Children meeting the requirement for tympanostomy tube placement underwent an adjuvant adenoidectomy for symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy or recurrent rhinosinusitis. Adenoid tissue and coexisting middle ear fluid, if present, were cultured. SETTING: Tertiary referral children's hospital with community-based satellite clinics. PATIENTS: Forty-six patients ranging in age from 1 to 11 years (68% <3 years) with recurrent or persistent otitis media and symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy or rhinosinusitis (study patients) underwent tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy with culture of the adenoids and middle ear effusions. Eighteen patients with adenoid hypertrophy without ear disease or rhinosinusitis were used as controls. INTERVENTIONS: Tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of resistant bacteria. RESULTS: Resistant bacteria were found in cultures of the adenoids in 56% (26/46) of the study group compared with 22% (4/18) of the control patients (P<.02). Also, strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis were found in cultures from 78% (36/ 46) of the study group, compared with 44% (8/18) of those from the control group (P<.01). Resistant isolates were found in 65% (23/35) of the S. pneumoniae, 37% (18/49) of the H. influenzae, and 100% (19/19) of the M. catarrhalis cultures from the adenoids or middle ear spaces. CONCLUSION: Resistant bacteria are present in significant amounts in the adenoids of children with middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms compared with patients without those diseases or symptoms.     

Immune responses of adenoidal lymphocytes specific to haemophilus influenzae in the nasopharynx

Objectives: Investigate immune responses of adenoidal lymphocytes against outer-membrane protein P6 purified from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (HI). Clarify the role of adenoids in regulating the colonization of HI in the nasopharynx. Study Design: Microbiological and immunological examinations of adenoids obtained from 21 children, 15 boys and five girls, from 1 to 13 years of age (median, 5 y), suffering from adenoidal hypertrophy complicated by otitis media with effusion (OME). Methods: The incidence of HI in adenoids was compared with the number of P6-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) A–secreting cells in adenoids, determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Quantitative culture assay showed significant correlation between the numbers of HI in adenoids and those in nasopharyngeal secretions (NS). In children aged 5 years and younger, the numbers of P6-specific IgA-secreting cells in adenoids were significantly correlated with IgA antibody titers in NS (r = 0.68, P < .05). The numbers of P6-specific IgG- and IgA-secreting cells were lower in children aged 6 years and older than in children aged 5 years and younger. Furthermore, the number of P6-specific IgA-secreting cells was significantly increased in HI-negative subjects when compared with HI-positive subjects (P < .05). Conclusions: Adenoids play an important role as an effector site of the mucosal immune system in the upper respiratory tract. IgA immune responses in adenoids are responsible for the clearance of HI from the nasopharynx. Key Words: Haemophilus influenzae, adenoid, nasopharyngeal secretion, P6, IgA.     

Helicobacter pylori in children who are prone to upper respiratory tract infections

OBJECTIVE: To examine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with recurrent upper respiratory infections, including acute otitis media. DESIGN: A prospective clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 20 children who were prone to upper respiratory infections and acute otitis and who were admitted for elective adenoidectomy and/or tympanostomy were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Samples of adenoid tissue and middle ear fluid were cultured for H pylori. Serologic analysis and fecal antigen detection testing were also carried out to determine the presence of H pylori. RESULTS: The results of serologic and antigen detection tests were positive for H pylori in 4 children (20%), but cultures of adenoid tissue and middle ear fluid samples were negative for H pylori in all children. CONCLUSION: An association between H pylori infection and recurrent upper respiratory infections and otitis media could not be established.     

The effect of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on the intra-tympanic pressure

A group of 67 children were studied (mean age 7 years, 2 months) who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy because of either recurrent otitis media or upper respiratory tract infection. The mean pre-operative intratympanic pressure was -67.3 mmH2O (SD 65.1); three months post-operatively it was -21.9 mmH2O (SD 32.4), a highly significant improvement (p less than 0.001). The size of the adenoids had a nearly significant effect on the pre-operative intratympanic pressure (p less than 0.05). In children with large vs small adenoids the difference was highly significant (p less than 0.001). In a group of five children, tonsillectomy alone (adenoidectomy performed earlier) did not have any effect on the intratympanic pressure. No change in intratympanic pressure was seen in children with nasal allergy as compared with non-allergic children after adenoidectomy.     

Short-term penicillin-V prophylaxis did not prevent acute otitis media in infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prophylactic, short-term penicillin V treatment during upper respiratory tract infections can prevent the occurrence of recurrent acute otitis media in young children. METHODS: Seventy children were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All children had suffered their first episode of acute otitis media before the age of 6 months. After inclusion in the study group, administration of penicillin V or placebo was initiated by the parents at subsequent upper respiratory tract infections. The children were examined by otomicroscopy within 3 days after treatment was initiated. The children were scheduled for a total follow-up period of 12 months, including bimonthly visits for check-up irrespective of treatment periods. RESULTS: There were 304 treated episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. There was no significant difference in the number of acute otitis episodes between groups. CONCLUSION: Initiation of penicillin V prophylaxis at upper respiratory tract infection in small children did not prevent recurrent acute otitis media in this study.     

The role of biofilms in otolaryngologic infections: update 2007

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Biofilms have been shown to play a role in otitis media, sinusitis, cholesteatoma, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, and device infections. This article is written to review recent advances in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: The role of biofilms in the persistence of chronic, mucosal-based ENT-related infections was first recognized in otitis media. Definitive proof was lacking until the demonstration of bacterial biofilms on the middle-ear mucosa of children, not only with chronic otitis media with effusion, but also with recurrent otitis media. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cholesteatoma are avid biofilm formers. Biofilms have been reported in the adenoids of children with chronic rhinosinusitis, helping to explain the clinical observation that adenoidectomy can be beneficial to children with chronic otitis or chronic rhinosinusiti. Additional studies have confirmed the presence of biofilms in chronic tonsillitis. Biofilms have also been shown to be involved in infected cochlear implants and tracheotomy tubes. SUMMARY: The recognition that chronic otolaryngologic bacterial infections are biofilm related has been the impetus for the development of new technologies for the study of biofilms and their prevention and treatment. Understanding that chronic bacterial infections are biofilm related is fundamental to developing rationale strategies for treatment and prevention.     

儿童腺样体肥大与分泌性中耳炎病因的关系探讨

目的 探讨腺样体肥大与儿童分泌性中耳炎（SOM）病因的关系,提高对两者关联性疾病的认识。方法 回顾分析诊断有分泌性中耳炎、腺样体肥大、慢性扁桃体炎、小儿鼾症或阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的住院儿童742例的资料,进行统计分析。结果 742例中有173例SOM,SOM中伴腺样体肥大的有65例,而腺样体肥大(包括伴有SOM)有570例,腺样体肥大中发生SOM的机率为11.40%。结论 单纯腺样体肥大不是引起SOM的主要因素,儿童SOM是多种因素综合导致的结果。     

儿童腺样体肥大与分泌性中耳炎的关系研究

目的探讨腺样体肥大儿童中分泌性中耳炎发病情况及其影响因素。方法258例住院手术治疗的腺样体肥大的儿童,均常规进行病史采集、鼻咽侧位片、声导抗检查;对部分患儿进行鼻内镜检查录像,单盲评估腺样体肥大程度及其与咽鼓管咽口的关系。统计分析分泌性中耳炎发生率及其影响因素。结果在258病例中经声导抗检查证实合并分泌性中耳炎者108例（41.9％）,而病史中有明确听力减退主诉者仅27例（10.5％）;对合并和未合并分泌性中耳炎病例的相关影响因素统计分析发现,患儿性别、病程长短、腭扁桃体大小等因素对分泌性中耳炎发病无明显影响,低龄患儿、腺样体过度肥大、腺样体与咽鼓管园枕或咽口关系密切者发生分泌性中耳炎可能性大,多元回归分析证明其中影响最显著的因素是腺样体与咽鼓管园枕或咽口关系密切程度。结论有必要对所有腺样体肥大患儿常规进行听力学检查,以确认或除外分泌性中耳炎诊断。低龄患儿、腺样体过度肥大或与咽鼓管园枕及咽口关系密切是分泌性中耳炎的促发因素。     

Expression of receptor CD23+ on B lymphocytes in hypertrophied adenoids of children with otitis media with effusion

Tonsil pharyngeal is stimulated chronic by pathogens can be causes this hypertrophied; whose often is companions to otitis media with effusion. Subpopulation dominates in tonsil pharyngeal are lymphocytes B, and their markers activation are expression of antigen CD23+. The aim of this study was finding dependence between otitis media with effusion and coexistent hypertrophy adenoids, and percentage of lymphocytes CD19+ with expression of antigen CD23+ in hypertrophy adenoids. In the study showed higher significant percentage of lymphocytes CD19+ CD23+ at children in otitis media with effusion (20.08+/-2.93) with reference to comparative group, which was only hypertrophy adenoid (18.16+/-2.25). Percentage lymphocytes B (CD23+) were the highest (20.01+/-5.81) in children subgroup above 5 years old with otitis media with effusion, and lowest (17.36+/-2.78) in children comparative subgroup above 5 years old. As regards on different functions of antigen CD23+ the assessment of percentage lymphocytes B with expression of CD23+ can be additional marker in course immunological and inflammatory processes to occur in hypertrophy adenoids at children are sick otitis media with effusion.     

Immunohistological study on immunocompetent cells in palatine tonsil and pharyngeal tonsil--the quantitative study by image analyzer

Distribution of various immunocompetent cells, i.e., IgG-, IgM-, IgA-, IgD-, IgE-, CD4-, and CD8-positive cells in palatine tonsils (tonsils) and pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) of same patients were investigated immunohistologically by using monoclonal antibodies. The proportion of Ig-positive cells and T cell subsets in both tonsils were quantitatively studied by the image analyzer (CUE-2, Olympus, USA). The results were summarized as follows: 1) There was no significant difference in proportions of Ig-positive cells and T cell subsets between tonsils and adenoids. 2) IgG- and IgD-positive cells in the tonsils were significantly increased in cases with recurrent tonsillitis than in those with simple tonsillar hypertrophy. 3) Number of IgA2-positive cells were significantly changed, i.e., decreased in the subepithelial area of tonsils and increased in the interfollicular area of adenoids in cases complicated with otitis media with effusion. 4) In cases complicated with nasal allergy, IgE-positive cells were significantly increased in the interfollicular area in both of those tonsils and adenoids. These results indicate that the image analyzer will be a breakthrough in quantitative study on the immunohistology of tonsils and adenoids and give us useful informations about roles of the tonsil and the adenoid on the local immunity of the upper respiratory airway.     

Outcomes research in pediatric otolaryngology

There are several validated outcomes instruments available for use in the pediatric otolaryngology population. These include instruments for otitis media, rhinosinusitis, tonsil and adenoid disease; sleep-disordered breathing, voice disorders and tracheotomy. In addition, several prospective outcomes studies have been performed on common pediatric otolaryngology conditions. These studies have typically indicated that the quality of life impact of diseases such as otitis media and recurrent tonsillitis is quite high, and that surgical treatments (such as tympanostomy tube placement and adenotonsillectomy) result in significant improvements in quality of life and disease-specific health status. In addition, cost-effectiveness studies of cochlear implantation have indicated that implantation is a very cost-effective intervention when performed in children.     

EB病毒在儿童腺样体肥大和扁桃体炎组织内的定量研究及意义

目的:探讨EB病毒在儿童慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大中的流行病学特点及其在儿童腺样体肥大、慢性扁桃体炎疾病发病机制中的作用.方法:采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对52例慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大患儿手术摘除的腺样体、扁桃体组织及血浆标本进行EB病毒定量检测.结果:患有慢性扁桃体炎和(或)腺样体肥大的儿童扁桃体、腺样体组织中EB病毒感染率为51.9%;其中男性患儿EB病毒感染率为50.0%,女性患儿为55.6%,两者差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).扁桃体组织EB病毒感染率为40.4%,腺样体组织为48.9%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).学龄组(7～14岁)患儿扁桃体和腺样体组织EB病毒感染率为65.5%,明显高于学龄前组(2～6岁)患儿的感染率(34.8%).比较轻、中、重度肥大的腺样体组织中EB病毒-DNA拷贝数发现:重度肥大组EB病毒-DNA拷贝数明显高于其他两组(P＜0.05).52例患儿血浆标本检测发现:EB病毒-DNA拷贝数均在正常范围内(＜1×10~3 copies/ml).结论:腺样体肥大组织与慢性扁桃体炎组织对EB病毒有相同的易感性,男、女性患儿的扁桃体和腺样体组织对EB病毒易感性基本相同,且随着患儿年龄的增长、病程的延长,EB病毒的感染率也会相应增高.腺样体的增生、肥大与EB病毒的感染有一定相关性.     

Distribution characteristics of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in adenoids. Relationship to age and disease.

Forty-four adenoids and 52 palatine tonsils from 71 children and adolescents (age 3-21 years) undergoing surgery because of adenoidal hypertrophy or recurrent tonsillitis were examined for the presence of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) employing an enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT). ISC constituted less than 2% of the mononuclear cell population. Adenoids contained IgG, IgA, and IgM ISC in significantly lower numbers than palatine tonsils. The predominant isotype of the ISC was IgG, in adenoids accounting for 62% of the ISC and in palatine tonsils for 73%. The relative numbers for IgA and IgM ISC were similar. A significant correlation existed between autologous adenoids and palatine tonsils for the numbers of IgA and IgM ISC, but not for the numbers of IgG cells. These observations suggest that, adenoid and palatine tonsils display similar immunoglobulin distribution patterns within a single individual. However, individuals with hypertrophied adenoids exhibited a numeric decrease in IgG ISC with increasing age (P less than 0.01). Both lymphoid tissues may be involved in mucosal immune defense.