The Effects of Exosomes in Otitis Media With Effusion

The particularity of adenoids, as a reservoir of bacterial pathogens and immune molecules, is known to be significantly involved in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). As an important carrier of intercellular substance transfer and signal transduction, exosomes with different biological functions can be secreted by different types of cells. There remains significant uncertainty regarding the clinical transmitter of exosomes to OME, especially in its pathophysiologic development. In this study, the investigators try to elucidate the biological functions of exosomes in children with adenoid hypertrophy accompanied by OME. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy or otitis media will be separated into three groups: those with adenoid hypertrophy, with otitis media and with adenoid hypertrophy and otitis media both, as well as a healthy control group. Participants in the four groups will have their middle ear effusion, nasopharyngeal secretion, and peripheral blood samples taken, from which exosomes will be separated for further analysis. Adenoidectomy will be conducted in adenoid hypertrophy accompanied by OME and adenoid hypertrophy alone and their adenoid tissue will be collected. Blood will be collected again 3 months after surgery and middle ear and nasopharyngeal examinations will be performed. Exosomes will be isolated for follow-up studies as before surgery. Investigators will also use proteome research, exosome biomarkers, and high-throughput sequencing to examine the pathophysiology of OME, particularly inflammation-related etiology, in order to provide novel ideas for OME diagnosis and treatment.