Meniere's disease: evidence of an immune process.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to present further evidence of specific antibodies reactive against bovine inner ear proteins found in patients with Meniere's disease.

BACKGROUND

There are a growing number of experimental and clinical features of Meniere's disease that indicate an immune association. Circulating antibodies directed against inner ear proteins have been detected in patients with bilateral progressive hearing loss and Meniere's disease.

METHODS

A total of 36 patients with classical Meniere's disease were studied noting the presence of active or inactive, bilateral or unilateral disease. Bovine membranous labyrinth was used as inner ear extract and separated to molecular weights using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Western blotting included the addition of serum buffer (casein, Tween, and bovine serum albumins) and the use of alkaline phosphatase labeled anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies.

RESULTS

The findings represent strong evidence of antibodies reactive to inner ear proteins. The incidence of these antibodies was correlated significantly with disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are further evidence of an immune process that is involved in Meniere's disease.