[Serum antibodies against corneal and internal ear tissues in Cogan's syndrome]

Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique, IgG and IgA antibodies against human cornea and IgG antibodies against human inner ear tissue (stria vascularis, Reissner's membrane, spiral ligament, dark cell area) were demonstrated in the serum of a patient with cogan's syndrome. Sera of controls (healthy individuals) did not show positive reactions. Additionally the serum of two patients suffering from "idiopathic" progressive sensorineural hearing loss contained antibodies (IgG) which reacted with human inner ear tissue only but not with human cornea. A possible autoimmune mechanism in Cogan's syndrome is discussed.