Oral vaccine in otosclerosis.

Otosclerosis is a genetically based disease in which the development of autoimmune mechanisms can lead to its clinical expression. Anti-type II collagen antibodies have been found in otosclerotic patient serum. The first clinically unexpressive phase of the disease can be diagnosed from a family history and ON-OFF stapedial reflexes with evidence of an autoimmune disorder. The use of antigenic oral hyposensitization is accepted, based on autoimmune pathogenesis. Hyposensitization should be initiated during this subclinical period of otosclerosis with a type II collagen oral vaccine.