Mechanisms of development of endolymphatic hydrops following secondary immune response in the endolymphatic sac of guinea pigs.

Previously the author reported the immediate development of endolymphatic hydrops (e. hydrops) following direct challenge of secondary antigen to the endolymphatic sac (ES) in guinea pigs, during the early phases of postchallenge, ranging from 1 to 5 weeks. The present study reports the results of specimens taken up to 10 weeks postchallenge, and correlation of e.hydrops to perilymph in antigen-specific antibody levels. From the present results, mechanisms of e.hydrops induced ES immune reaction are suggested as follows. 1) In the early stage of e.hydrops, an acute inflammatory reaction in the ES may produce endolymph by an increased vascular permeability of the inner ear and may impair endolymph absorption from the ES. 2) In the latter stage of e.hydrops, the moderate cellular infiltration in the ES may cause chronic impairment of endolymph absorption in the ES.