ACUTE MEASLES INFECTION IN THE HAMSTER COCHLEA

Measles virus has been implicated in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in adults as well as in children. Furthermore, sensorineural h earing loss following live measles virus vaccination has been reported . As of yet, however, there has been only few reports on human tempora l bone pathology due to measles, and on experimental animal models of measles infection. This study was undertaken to examine acute measles infection in adult hamster cochlea morphologically and immunohistochem ically for precise understanding of this viral infection. Atrophy of t he stria vascularis, loss of the organ of Corti, ''rolled-up'' tectori al membrane, and cell infiltration with a positive immunofluorescent r eaction primarily within the scale media indicating endolymphatic laby rinthitis were the principal findings. These results were generally co nsistent with previous ones on human temporal bone pathology not only due to measles but also to SNHL. We consider measles virus to be one o f the possible pathogens, even if low in frequency, causing profound a nd irreversible hearing loss, including SNHL. Completion of measles va ccination without complication and selective or mass revaccination may be necessary to prevent such hearing loss.