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Prevalence of herpes zoster virus reactivation in patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 January 2022

R Freire de Castro Open the ORCID record for R Freire de Castro [Opens in a new window] ,
D Crema ,
F C Neiva ,
R A S R Pinto  and
F A Suzuki
R Freire de Castro*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil
D Crema
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Analysis – Immunology Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
F C Neiva
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil
R A S R Pinto
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurology, Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, Brazil
F A Suzuki
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Rafael Freire de Castro, Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial, Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual, Avenida Ibirapuera 981, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP – 04029-000, Brasil E-mail: rafaelfreire.uftm@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

Herpes zoster virus can cause inflammatory neuropathy of the facial nerve. However, studies evaluating the prevalence of this agent in peripheral facial palsy are heterogeneous regarding sample group selection, laboratory analysis method and variables studied. In addition, there are a lack of epidemiological data in the Brazilian population on this serological phenomenon in peripheral facial palsy. This study estimated herpes zoster reactivation prevalence in serological samples through chemiluminescence immunoassay for quantitative determination of specific antibodies directed against the virus.

Methods

This cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of viral reactivation by herpes zoster in subjects with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy through analysis of serological samples over a year.

Results

Forty-seven patients (32 females and 15 males) participated. Severe paralysis was more common in older patients (p = 0.017). Facial pain (p = 0.02) and vertigo (p = 0.001) were related to a worse evolution of facial palsy. The rate of serological reactivation of the virus was 12.76 per cent.

Conclusion

The rate of serological reactivation of herpes virus in idiopathic peripheral facial palsy in our population is similar to foreign literature data, suggesting similar aetiological mechanisms in the genesis of this morbidity.

Keywords

Varicella Zoster Virus InfectionZoster Sine HerpeteChickenpoxBell PalsyHerpes Zoster
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 10 , October 2022 , pp. 975 - 978
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr R Freire de Castro takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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