Recurrence of antigen-induced otitis media by thiol compound.

Reduced glutathione (GSH), a potential factor in the chronicity of human otitis media, was tested to determine its potency in the recurrence of antigen-induced otitis media in chinchillas sensitized with human serum albumin (HSA). GSH instillation into the healing middle ear bulla reproduced a level of otitis media similar to the original antigen-induced otitis media with cellular involvement occurring earlier, according to cytologic analyses. This study indicates that GSH is probably a factor in recurrent antigen-induced otitis media, controlling the balance between thiol proteases and thiol protease inhibitors during middle ear inflammation.