Otitis media with effusion is a clinical manifestation characterised by inflammation of middle-ear mucosa. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and roxithromycin on a histamine-induced animal model of otitis media with effusion.

The animals were divided into five groups, receiving erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin or saline solution. The guinea pigs in the study groups received erythromycin (40 mg/kg/day), clarithromycin (15 mg/kg/day), azithromycin (10 mg/kg/day) or roxithromycin (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days by gastric tube. Four hours after the end of the administration, histamine solution was injected into the right middle ear.

The lowest neutrophil density value obtained using stereological techniques was in the azithromycin group (0.86 ± 0.25 × 10−5/μm3), while the highest value was observed in the control group (6.68 ± 3.12 × 10−5/μm3). The anti-inflammatory properties of clarithromycin, azithromycin and roxithromycin were similar to one another, but better than that of erythromycin.

The use of macrolide antibiotics is recommended, as they show antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy in otitis media with effusion.