Immunoglobulin E and circulating immune complexes in endolymphatic hydrops.
Levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) in 59 patients with Meniere's disease and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in a subgroup of 42 of the 59 were determined quantitatively for possible abnormalities of humoral immunity. Significant differences in average IgE levels between the 42 patients with Meniere's disease and 18 normal control subjects were not determined; however, five (11.9%) of the 42 patients were found to have obviously raised IgE levels. Elevated CIC levels were found in 19 (32.2%) of the 59 patients with Meniere's disease and in one (2.3%) of the 43 control subjects. This difference was statistically significant. The possible mechanisms of immune-mediated endolymphatic hydrops are discussed.
Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, People's Republic of China.
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Hsu
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Zhu
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Zhao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004711:Endolymphatic Duct; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G