Hearing loss with semicircular canal transection and Pseudomonas aeruginosa otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) otitis media (OM) increases the risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with semicircular canal transection in the guinea pig model.


METHODS
PA was injected transtympanically into both middle ears of pigmented guinea pigs. Saline-injected animals served as controls. Two to 4 days after injection, one horizontal semicircular canal was transected and sealed. Hearing was tested using electrocochleography before and after transection.


RESULTS
PA-OM was induced in all PA-injected ears. Five days after semicircular canal transection, click-evoked thresholds were significantly elevated in ears with PA-OM (P = 0.00009) but not in saline-injected ears (P = 0.398).


CONCLUSIONS
Violation of the inner ear in the presence of PA-OM is associated with increased risk of SNHL in the guinea pig.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors unique to PA infection may be responsible for SNHL with labyrinthine injury in humans with chronic otitis media.
Prevatt
Angela R
AR
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Sedwick
Jack D
JD
Gajewski
Byron J
BJ
Antonelli
Patrick J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000601:surgery*