This system is activated via either the classical pathway, which is one of the major effector mechanisms of humoral immunity, or the alternative pathway which is a mechanism of innate immunity. The complement system comprises a group of more than 30 serum and cell surface proteins that interact with other immune system molecules and with each other in a highly regulated manner to provide many of the effector functions of humoral immunity and inflammation. Local and/or systemic immunological disturbances as well as the aforementioned factors may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of chronic OME. The contribution of immune mechanisms in the etiology of the diseases with multifactorial origin like OME is very likely. OME has been considered as a multifactorial disease since various factors like eustachian tube dysfunction, impairment of middle ear clearence system and ventilation, upper respiratory tract infections, anatomic abnormalities, bacteria, viruses, and various inflamatory mediators have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of this disease. Otitis media with effusion (OME), a common disease in childhood, is characterized by fluid accumulation in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane without signs and symptoms of acute infection. These components may have a role in the development, maintenance or the chronicity of the disease but further studies are needed to elucidate the role of complement system in OME. The presence of C3 and C4 in the middle ear effusions of the patients with OME and AOM was shown, but C3 and C4 levels were significantly lower in middle ear effusions than in serum of the same patients.Ĭonclusion: The present study showed that C3 and C4 components of the complement system are present in the middle ear effusions of the patients with OME. Results: The C3 and C4 levels in the serum of the patients with AOM were significantly higher than those of the patients with OME and normal controls. C3 and C4 levels in serum and middle ear effusions were determined. Blood samples were collected from all subjects, while middle ear fluid samples were obtained only from AOM and OME group. Methods: The study included 16 patients with OME, 8 patients with acute otitis media (AOM) and 16 healthy controls.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether complement system has a role in the pathogenesis of OME or not. Summary Objective: Otitis media with effusion (OME), a common disease in childhood, is characterized by chronic inflammation in which the proinflammatory activity of the complement (C) system is postulated to be one of the causative factors.

C3 or c4 middle c