Use of biologics for treatment of autoimmune inner ear disease.

OBJECTIVE: Biologic medications are novel therapeutics in the treatment of Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED), an etiology of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). The goal of this study is to review the currently available literature on the efficacy of biologic medications on autoimmune-mediated hearing loss and associated symptomology among patients with AIED. METHODS: A systematic review of Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify studies investigating the impact of biologic medications on hearing outcomes. Bias assessment was independently conducted by three authors and studies were stratified based on risk of bias. RESULTS: Of 174 unique abstracts screened, 12 articles met inclusion criteria for formal review. One randomized control trial, seven prospective cohort studies, and four retrospective cohort studies were included. Seven biologic medications, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Rituximab, Anakinra, and Canakinumab, were identified targeting three unique molecular targets, TNF-α, CD20, and IL-1. CONCLUSION: The effects of biologic medications in treating SNHL was highly variable without clear efficacy of a drug or drug category, likely due to rarity of disease, multifactorial etiologies of AIED, and cohort heterogeneity. However, several medications alleviate symptoms associated with AIED, such as vertigo and tinnitus. While biologic medications may be promising therapeutics in AIED patients, the evidence is currently inconclusive. Large-scale randomized control trials and prospective cohort reviews are required to establish the efficacy of biologic medications in treating hearing loss.

Maternal Death Due to Clostridium novyi in an Injection Drug User.

BACKGROUND: Soft-tissue infections in women with subcutaneous injection drug use are often polymicrobial. CASE: A 21-year-old nulliparous woman presented at 14-15 weeks of gestation with several gluteal abscesses related to subcutaneous injection of heroin. She was well appearing, afebrile, and without findings of systemic illness. After empiric broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, same-day incision and drainage was performed. Immediately after the procedure, she developed refractory hypotension, severe tachycardia, pulmonary edema, and leukemoid reaction (white blood cell count 80×10/L). Cardiac arrest ensued, and she died within 4 hours of onset of sepsis and within 24 hours of presentation. Wound cultures identified Clostridium novyi. CONCLUSION: Local, soft-tissue infections that includes C novyi can result in rapidly fatal, toxin-mediated septic shock in pregnant women with high-risk social behavior.