Prestin autoantibodies screening in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives

To define the clinical association of serum prestin autoantibodies and their impact on prognosis, as specific serum diagnostic markers in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Design

Sera from 63 patients with ISSNHL were screened prospectively for the presence of prestin autoantibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) test. Serum was assayed for anti-prestin IgG antibodies using recombinant human prestin (SLC26 A5). Demographic, clinical, and audiometric variables were analyzed.

Results

Two patients (3.17%) had demonstrable anti-prestin antibodies in serum (exact 95% CI: ?1.16% to 7.5%). No statistically significant association was found between prestin autoantibodies and demographic or audiologic parameters.

Conclusions

This preliminary and novel study does not support the presence of an active humoral immune reaction against prestin in ISSNHL.