The otitis-prone children ≤12 months of age (n = 6) had a higher IFNγ response to SEB than the age-matched controls (n = 14), 78pg/mL versus 15pg/mL, p = 0.05, demonstrating that PBMC from the otitis-prone children under ≤12 months of age in our study were capable of an IFNγ response. This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and ear infection.