Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA seropositivity and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

A prospective study was designed to evaluate a possible role of an endured infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae or Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. For this in 60 patients with a first episode of a sensorineural hearing loss and-60 sex-matched and aged-matched controls, following a complete otoneurological diagnosis blood tests for IgA, IgM and IgG with regard to Chlamydia pneumoniae and trachomatis were evaluated. We found a statistically significant higher prevalence of IgA positivity of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (chi2-test, p < 0.017). For this, Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a possible cause for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A targeted antibiotic therapy, as it has been discussed for myocardial infarction, might possibly open an additional treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.