内耳障害マウスの平衡機能について

抄録

Vestibular functions and the morphological changes were investigated in mice with inner ear damage induced by bacteria (Mycobacterium fortuitum). M. fortuitum was injected into the tail vein of mice. After the injection of M. fortuitum, the behavior and the morphological changes of the mice were observed. Two weeks after the injection, 60-70% of mice showed abnormal behavior, such as inability to stand, swim, transverse a narrow path, grasp a rod, descend a rope or negative geotaxis. M. fortuitum also induced severe morphological damages not only in the vestibular sensory cells but also in the vestibular ganglion cells and nerves. These findings indicated a certain correration between the morphological and the functional disorders.