Secretory Immunoglobulin a Antibodies to Respiratory Viruses in Middle Ear Effusionl of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

In order to obtain evidence that viral infection may be involved in chronic otitis media with effusion, an attempt was made to detect secretory IgA antibodies to respiratory viruses in the effusions. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used with purified viral antigens was employed for detecting antibodies in this study. Secretory IgA antibodies against adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial, and parainfluenza type 2 viruses were demonstrated in 31 of 128 effusions (27 of 114 ears with chronic otitis media with effusions and 4 of 14 ears with blue eardrum conditions). The specificity of antibody activity to each virus was confirmed by an absorption test.