Non-specific immunological determinations in Meniere's disease: any role in clinical practice?

Several studies supported the hypothesis that an autoimmune response may be a pathogenetic factor in Meniere's disease occurrence. It has been demonstrated that the endo-lymphatic sac has an important role in the immuno-mediated reaction and it has also become evident that an immunological mechanism may be involved in the development of endo-lymphatic hydrops. The present study was carried out in order to analyse the validity of serological non-specific immune tests in determining the possible role of immune pathology in 200 Meniere's suffering patients. The immune activity was investigated determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein levels, the rheumatoid factor, the serum immunoglobulin levels by group, the complement levels, the lymphocyte sub-populations, the cryoglobulines, the circulating immune complexes (CIC), organ and nonorgan auto-antibodies. Levels of Ig, ESR, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, complement fractions and cryoglobulines were either negative or non-significant in the considered cohort of Meniere's disease suffering patients. On the other hand, in more than half of the sample group high values of CIC were found. Data concerning T-lymphocyte sub-population indicates a clear increase in T-helper compared to T-cytotoxic cells, with an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio. The datum of particular interest concerns analysis of T-cells activation complexes. Our present findings show that early activated T-lymphocytes change and in particular changes occur in the expression of the interleukin-2 receptor. Moreover, it seems to be possible to correlate the alteration of the immunological tests and the phase of the disease. Present data showed that the immunological factor should be considered a relevant element in most of the cases of Meniere's disease.