Viral infection of the middle ear and the round window membrane

Abstract

Thirty two guinea pigs were inoculated with either Sendai virus or measles virus into their middle ear and subsequently the round window membrane (RWM) and the inner ear were investigated by electron microscopy and immunofluorescent microscopy. RWM initially demonstrated pathologic change of the epithelial layer. In more advanced lesion, whole layers of RWM were affected with occasional fibrosis adjacent to the mesothelial layer. However, the inner ear was usually spared.
Daily administrations of steroid (hydorcortisone 10mg/kg) after measles virus inoculation caused more pronounced changes of the round window membrane and in 2 ears out of 6, destruction of the outer hair cells was observed in the lower basal turn.