Likewise, LASSO regression narrowed the 14 MitoDEGs down to five (PDK1, ABHD11, ACAT2, ACSF2, and GNPAT) in NTHi-AOM (Figure 3D), whereas RF analysis pinpointed a single key gene, PDK1 (Figure 3E). The gene discussed is ACAT2; the disease is infectious otitis media.