Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2013 May;27(10):500-4.

[Viral infection and ear diseases].

[Article in Chinese]

Liu Y, Wang Z.

The association of viral infection to ear disease has triggered a great deal of interests. In the present paper, we provide a critical review of the viral hypothesis of ear diseases. Detection of viral antigen and antibody or RNA and DNA in the patients serum, endolymphatic fluid or surgical pathology specimens reveals that virus may have relevance to certain kinds of ear diseases, such as Meniere's disease, idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, otosclerosis. Bell's palsy and otitis media. The most appealing is the herpesvirus, which can cause latent infection in the neurons, and its reactivation may be the mechanism of recurrent attacks of ear diseases. ....PMID:  23937021

Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1991;479:24-8.

Histamine in the treatment of vertigo.

Fischer AJ1.  1St. Jans-Gasthuis, Weert, The Netherlands.

Abstract

The vasodilating properties of histamine were the basis for histamine treatment of episodic vertigo and other inner ear dysfunctions. The successes obtained led to the development of betahistine: an orally active histamine analogue; its general pharmacology resembles that of histamine. Animal pharmacology experiments proved that betahistine increases cerebral blood flow and probably also affects vestibular neurons. From clinical studies, it appears that betahistine is an effective agent for the symptomatic treatment of Meniere's syndrome. Efficacy has also been shown in the treatment of patients suffering from paroxysmal vertigo.

PMID:

2068937