19 serum and 23 middle ear mucoid fluid samples from patients with chronic secretory otitis media (SOM) were analyzed for total IgE using the PRIST technique and for specific IgE against dog epithelium, house dust mite, milk, egg-white and wheat using the RAST technique. All serum samples showed IgE values well within the normal range, and the middle ear fluid-serum ratio for total IgE was less than 1. In three sera there was a weak (score 1) positive RAST result to milk (2 cases) and to egg-white (1 case). None of the middle ear fluids showed positive reactions. Routine clinical assessment of total and specific IgE is not indicated in SOM.