Increased IL-17 and 22 mRNA expression in pediatric patients with otitis media with effusion

Abstract Objectives Middle ear effusion has been reported to be associated with immune responses in patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). Although various cytokines are involved in immunologic responses in patients with OME, no study to date has assessed the involvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22. This study analyzed the levels of expression of IL-17 and IL-22 in the middle ear effusion of patients with OME. Methods Patients aged Results The study cohort included 70 pediatric patients, 46 boys and 24 girls, of mean age 4.31 ± 2.11 years. The levels of IL-17 and IL-22 mRNA were higher in patients with than without sinusitis, but only IL-22 mRNA levels differed significantly (p  Conclusion IL-17 and IL-22 mRNAs are involved in the pathophysiology of OME and are significantly higher in subjects with than without accompanying diseases.