Why does an upper respiratory viral infection such as influenza predispose to otitis media?
C) The viral infection inhibits the clearance of the bacteria from the middle ear.
Correct. Please choose another answer.
Influenza infection of the ciliated epithelium of the eustachian tube causes desquamation of the ciliated cells. Normally these cells beat so as to push material down the tube into the posterior pharynx. It is like a one way conveyor belt out of the middle ear. A flu infection breaks the conveyor belt so that bacteria that gain access to the moist warm middle ear have found an ideal environment in which to grow. If you want to see an electron micrograft of this epithelium before and after a flu infection of a ferret, click here (Fig. 8 of Am J Otol 1987; 3:161-70).