Potential role for lipopolysaccharide in congenital sensorineural hearingloss

Abstract

Congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is common. In theWestern world, the incidence is 1–3 per 1000 live births. The aetiologyencompasses genetic and non-genetic factors accounting for 55 %and 45 % of cases, respectively. Reports that describe the contributionof intrauterine infection to the occurrence of congenital SNHL are limited,and comparative analysis of the different pathogens is lacking. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS),a product of bacteriolysis, has been demonstrated to be associated with innerear damage in experimental studies. To elucidate the potential role of thistoxin in congenital SNHL and to identify the pathogenesis and transmissionroutes, we reviewed the literature. We speculate that different routes ofexposure to LPSin uteromay result in congenital inner ear damage.