[Effect of experimental immunological otitis media on inner ear]

We observed the change of the Outer Hair Cell (OHC) of the Guinea Pig (GP) in experimental immunological otitis media under a transmission electron microscope. Animals were immunized systemically with Bovine Serum Album (BSA) until high circulation serum levels developed, then were given BSA 1 mg/0.1 ml transtympanic challenge into one middle ear (ME) cleft on four successive weeks, after the 7th day of the ME challenge GP were killed. Under the transmission electron microscope, we observed that of the degeneration of mitochondrion and thinning of the sub membranous cistern, the damage in the 3rd row of OHC is more severe than the 2nd and the 1st rows. It suggested that immune reaction of ME may have an effect on the inner ear.