Role of helicobacter pylori in the middle ear fluid among children with otitis media with effusion

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori are known as the most common species affecting human. This bacterium is main cause of peptic and duodenal ulcer. This infection is highly prevalent in the third world countries like Iran. This bacterium is found in dental plaque, salivary, adenoid and tonsil tissue, nasal polyps, nasal mucus, and maxillary sinus. These organs are near to the eustachian tube and middle ear, for this reason it is possible to find this bacteria in middle ear. PCR method is used for amplifying a particular piece of target DNA which can be a single gene or pieces of a gene. Methods: This descriptive-analytical methods study was performed on 40 children between 2-13 years old with serous otitis media hospitalized in Tabriz Children Hospital (2007-2010). Serous fluids were collected from paracentesis of middle ear of patients was investigated for the PCR. Results: The patients were at the age of 2-13 years old and the average age was 6.57 years old. 21 patients (52.5%) were male and 19 patients (47.5%) were female. From 40 children with otitis media, helicobacter pylori were found in 3 children who showed no causality between helicobacter pylori and middle ear. Conclusion: We can only assume a possible role for Helicobacter pylori infection at occurrence of middle ear infection. If this role is proved in the serous otitis resistant to common cures, antibiotics effective against H.pylori can be helpful.