Immune-mediated cochleovestibular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to prove the involvement of the immune response in the etiopathogenesis of some cochleovestibular disorders by a demonstration of antibodies against inner ear antigens and identify the benefits of immunosuppressive therapy.

BACKGROUND: McCabe in 1979 postulated the hypothesis of autoimmune inner ear disease.

METHODS: Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting were used to examine the serum of 74 subjects for the presence of antibodies against inner ear antigens. The subjects were divided into three groups: A--subjects with idiopathic progressive sensorineural hearing loss, B--subjects with Menière´s disease, C--healthy subjects. Individuals with proven antibodies received immunosuppressive therapy.

RESULTS: We detected antibodies against inner ear antigens with molecular weight of 30, 50, 60, 80, 100 kDa. In group A they were found in 52% of 25 subjects, in group B in 44% of 25 subjects and they were not detected in group C. An improvement of hearing was recorded in 69% of subjects in group A. An improvement of hearing was observed in 72%, significant relief of vertigo in 81% of subjects in group B.

CONCLUSION: The present study supports the hypothesis of immune-mediated cochleovestibular disease (Tab. 3, Ref. 15).