Korean Journal of Audiology  2013;17(1):9-12

doi:10.7874/kja.2013.17.1.9

Development of Animal Models of Otitis Media.

Moo Kyun PARK 1 ; Byung Don LEE

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Otitis media; Cholesteatoma; In vitro; Animal model

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Otitis media is defined as inflammation of the middle ear, including the auditory ossicles and the Eustachian tube. Otitis media is a major health problem in many societies. The causes of otitis media includes infection and anatomic/physiologic, host, and environmental factors. In general, otitis media is a childhood disease, and anatomic and physiologic changes have great effects on its development. Thus, in vitro or human experimental studies of otitis media are difficult. Several experimental animal models have been introduced to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of otitis media. However, none are ideal. The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of the current status of animal models of otitis media with effusion, acute otitis media, and cholesteatoma. This review will assist determination of the most appropriate animal models of otitis media.