[The effect of middle ear effusion on enzymatic digestion of DNA in middle ear effusions of chronic otitis media with effusion].

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether or not the bacterial DNA which was detected by PCR comes from viable bacteria.

METHOD: Observing the affection of middle ear effusion (MEE) on DNA viscosity and enzymatic digestion of DNA.

RESULT: The middle ear effusion and DNA are stable and DNase 1 rapidly digests DNA. The effusion does not seem to degrade DNA. The middle ear effusion signficantly inhibits DNase 1.

CONCLUSION

Middle ear effusion provides an inhibition of the enzymatic digestion of purified DNA. Thus any DNA found in effusion by PCR techniques could well be fossilized remains and chronic otitis media with effusion may not be the bacterial infection.