Lysozyme activity and immunoglobulins in middle ear effusion fluid in acute purulent otitis media and in otitis media with effusion.

147 samples of punctured middle ear effusion fluid from cases of otitis media with effusion and 150 samples from patients with acute purulent otitis media were tested for lysozyme activity. In otitis media with effusion the concentration was 182.0 U/ml, in acute otitis 433.8 U/ml. The lysozyme concentration in otitis media with effusion depended upon the nature of the effusion. Serous fluid showed an activity of 124.8 U/ml and mucoid 311.6 U/ml, respectively. In culture-positive cases of acute otitis media the lysozyme level was 423.4 U/ml. Culture-negative cases showed about the same concentration, 438.3 U/ml. The possible role of lysozyme in defence systems of the middle ear is discussed.