There is increasing evidence that a strong genetic component is involved in the predisposition to recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM). Cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of otitis media. Constitutional polymorphisms in cytokine genes may lead to individual variations in cytokine secretion.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland. vp.jokierkkila@nokianlaakariasema.fi