Pathomechanism and Potential of Mononuclear Therapy for Sensorineural Hearing Loss Post S. suis Meningitis

Permanent sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a major morbidity caused by Streptococcus suis (S.suis) meningitis. The underlying pathomechanism for the occurrence of SNHL are the release of Pore-forming Toxin by S.suis, impaired immune regulation, and microcirculation disturbance in patients, which damages cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). This morbidity causes social and economic impacts on patients who are young and productive adult patients. Conventional therapy is still limited in preventing or restoring auditory function, current development studies are toward to cell-based therapies, one of which is mononuclear from bone marrow (BMMNCs) and peripheral blood (PBMNCs). The proposed neurorestorative potential of mononuclear cell-based therapy are through immunomodulation, angiogenesis stimulation, and nerve tissue regeneration. This literature review aims to summarize information on the pathomechanism of SNHL due to S.suis meningitis and the proposed neurorestorative potential of mononuclear cell-based therapy for SNHL post S.suis Meningitis. Keywords: S.suis meningitis, mononuclear cells, sensorineural hearing loss, therapy