The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the
bacterial RNA detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR methods in
middle ear effusion (MEE) for pediatric chronic
otitis media with effusion (OME) originated from live bacteria. Degradation of
RNA was observed by spectroscopic analysis; we also investigated the effect of MEE on the digestive activity of
RNase. The optical density of
RNA solution was stable within 3 h. MEE could not degrade the
RNA, while
RNase could rapidly digest the
RNA. MEE significantly inhibited the digestive activity of
RNase, and the inhibitory effect was correlated with MEE concentration. The
bacterial DNA and
RNA detected by PCR and RT-PCR methods may not originate from live bacteria, but might instead originate from residues from previous
bacterial infection(s). Chronic OME is not an
infection of live bacteria, and therefore,
antibiotics should be used with caution for clinical treatment of pediatric chronic OME.