IMMUNE-MEDIATED INNER-EAR DISEASE AND PARVOVIRUS B19

Human parvovirus B19 (HP-B19), the etiologic agent of the common child hood illness erythema infectiosum, has been implicated in systemic imm une disorders. Patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss and /or dizziness, not readily categorized, were evaluated for immune-medi ated inner ear disease. Appropriate serologic studies including parvov irus B19 antibody titers were conducted. Thirty patients with suspecte d immune-mediated inner ear disease were treated with corticosteroid t rial for 5 to 7 days, then reexamined with repeat audiogram and/or ves tibular testing. Seventeen patients with clinical response were treate d with long-term corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Six patients ha d positive HP-B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers and 8 patients had pos itive parvovirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers. All 14 patients respon ded to therapy. Parvovirus B19, therefore, is a possible etiology of i mmune-mediated inner ear disease.