Level of ECP and IL-5 in effusion of otitis media with effusion

Objective: To investigate the possible relationship between allergy and otitis media with effusion（OME） by the eosinophil cationic protein（ECP） and interleukin 5（IL-5） level in the middle ear effusion（MEE） of patients with persistent OME.Methods: Fourty-one patients with persistent OME were included and allergy was confirmed by Skin Prick Test（SPT）.The concentrations of ECP and IL-5 in the MEE were measured by ELISA and compared allergy positive group with allergy negative group.Results: The mean levels of ECP and IL-5 in the MEE were significantly higher in allergy positive group than allergy negative group（P＜0.05）.ECP level of MEE was positively correlated with IL-5 in allergy positive group（r=0.863,P＜0.05）.Conclusion:OME is a sign of allergic inflammation in the middle ear that is associated with a concomitant release of ECP and IL-5 into the effusion in individuals with allergy demonstrated by SPT.