[Serum antibodies to type II collagen and immune complex in cases of Menière's disease].

In a previous study, endolymphatic hydrops was induced in 36% of guinea pigs immunized with type II collagen and a dominant negative SP was recorded from these hydropic animals. These results suggested that the immune response to type II collagen may have a role in the etiopathology of some cases of Menière's disease. In this study, we evaluated the levels of serum antibody to type II collagen and three other immune indexes in patients with Menière's disease, especially those who showed negative SP dominance on electrocochleography. Twenty-nine Menière's cases, 22 normal volunteers serving as controls, 28 RA cases, and 9 patients complaining of vertigo were examined to detect serum immune indexes. Menière's patients exhibited high values of serum anti-type II collagen antibody as compared to control subjects. Furthermore, total IgG, C3, anti-type II collagen antibody and circulating immune complex were increased with the highest levels being in the RA group, followed by Menière's disease and then the control group. These results probably reflect the extent of immune reaction development. The immune response may be generalized in RA cases and/or local in Menière's disease. Our study results suggest the development of certain immune status abnormalities in our cases, which lends support to the idea of an immunologic disorder playing a role in the etiology of some cases of Menière's disease.