Cell division cycle 42 positively correlates with T helper 2 cytokine, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree in otitis media with effusion patients

OBJECTIVE: Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) participates in the pathogenesis of some T‐cell‐mediated inflammatory diseases via regulating CD4(+) T‐cell differentiation and inflammation response. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of CDC42 and T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokines with disease risk, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree of otitis media with effusion (OME). METHODS: CDC42, interleukin (IL)‐4, and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) in effusion and serum of 78 OME patients were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Besides, the effusion (irrigating fluid) and serum samples of 30 controls (adenoid hypertrophy patients without OME) were also obtained for CDC42, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ determination. RESULTS: Effusion CDC42 and IL‐4 were elevated in OME patients compared with controls (both p < 0.001). Effusion CDC42 was positively correlated with effusion IL‐4 in OME patients (p = 0.004) and controls (p = 0.012) but was not related to effusion IFN‐γ (both p > 0.050). Additionally, effusion CDC42 (p = 0.025) and IL‐4 (p = 0.023) were increased in OME patients with mucoid effusion compared to patients with serous effusion, while effusion IFN‐γ was of no difference between those patients (p = 0.215). Meanwhile, elevated effusion CDC42 (p = 0.012) and IL‐4 (p = 0.033) were linked with increased hearing loss degrees, whereas effusion IFN‐γ was not related to hearing loss degrees (p = 0.057). Moreover, the findings of serum CDC42, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ showed similar trends as effusion ones; nonetheless, their correlation with disease features was generally weaker. CONCLUSION: OME patients present with elevated CDC42 and IL‐4 levels; the latter factors are intercorrelated and positively associate with effusion viscosity and hearing loss degree.