Development of endolymphatic hydrops following immune response in the endolymphatic sac of the guinea pig.

The present study investigated immune injury associated with endolymphatic hydrops (e.hydrops) following locally mounted immune reaction in the endolymphatic sac (e.sac) of guinea pigs. E.hydrops occurred, progressing rapidly within the first week post secondary Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) challenge in the e.sac and developed into two phases, acute and chronic. On the other hand, primary KLH challenge of the e.sac, PBS inoculation into the e.sac or intradural secondary KLH challenge were incapable of inducing e.hydrops. These results indicate that reversible and irreversible e.hydrops are induced by the immune response of the e.sac, suggesting that local immunological events of the e.sac may provide an animal model of Meniere's disease.