Objective: To evaluate the presence of IgG antibodies directed to herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the perilymph of patients with Menière disease.
Design: Antibodies to HSV, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and measles virus were analyzed in serum and perilymph samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total IgG and albumin in serum and perilymph samples were measured by nephelometer analysis. The relation of specific antivirus IgG in the perilymph vs the serum was expressed as an index.
Patients: Perilymph and serum samples from 7 patients with long-standing, disabling Menière disease were collected during therapeutic vestibulotomy. Perilymph and serum samples from 7 patients with otosclerosis and 2 recipients of cochlear implants were used as controls.
Results: Compared with the corresponding serum sample, the perilymph from the patients with Menière disease disclosed a higher level of specific anti-HSV IgG. An elevated level of specific anti-measles virus IgG in the perilymph was detected in patients with otosclerosis. Patients of all groups showed no variation of specific anti-Epstein Barr virus IgG and anti-cytomegalovirus IgG in the serum or in the perilymph.
Conclusions: Our results show the presence of HSV IgG in the perilymph of patients with Menière disease and support the hypothesis that HSV may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of Menière disease.