Immune-mediated inner ear disease and parvovirus B19

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19 (HP-B19), the etiologic agent of the common childhood illness erythema infectiosum, has been implicated in systemic immune disorders. Patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss and/or dizziness, not readily categorized, were evaluated for immune-mediated inner ear disease. Appropriate serologic studies including parvovirus B19 antibody titers were conducted. Thirty patients with suspected immune-mediated inner ear disease were treated with corticosteroid trial for 5 to 7 days, then reexamined with repeat audiogram and/or vestibular testing. Seventeen patients with clinical response were treated with long-term corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Six patients had positive HP-B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers and 8 patients had positive parvovirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers. All 14 patients responded to therapy. Parvovirus B19, therefore, is a possible etiology of immune-mediated inner ear disease.