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

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.

Otomycosis in São Paulo.

In view of the lack of researches on otomycosis in Brazil, we have tried to study their incidence, their clinical characteristics and the predispondent factors. During one year, 22 suspected cases were seen, 20 of them corresponded to otomycosis infections. The most frequent species were Aspergillus niger (35%) and Candida albicans (20%). The genus Aspergillus represented 75% of the isolates. Itching and hyperaemia (70%), otalgia (65%), hipoacusia (50%) were the commonest signs. Lack of cerumen (70%) chronic otitis (30%) previous antibiotic therapy and eczema (25%) were the most outstanding predispondent factors.

Otomycosis in Sao Paulo

Em vista da escassez de publicacoes sobre otomicoses no Brasil, foi projetada uma pesquisa para conhecer a incidencia, caracteristicas clinicas, fatores predisponentes e agentes etiologicos da micose. Durante um ano, 22 casos suspeitos foram estudados, 20 dos quais corresponderam a otomicoses. As especies mais frequentemente isoladas foram Aspergillus niger (35 por cento) e Candida albicans (20 por cento). O genero Aspergillus representou 75 por cento dos isolamentos. Os sinais clinicos mais comuns foram prurido e hiperemia (70 por cento), otalgia (65 por cento), hipoacusia (50 por cento). Falta de cerumen (70 por cento), otite cronica (30 por cento), antibioticoterapia previa e eczema (25 por cento) foram os fatores predisponentes mais relevantes.

The use of homogeneous human amniotic tissue to repair tympanic membrane perforations

Human amniotic tissue previously treated with sodium hypochlorite and ethyl alcohol and stored in pure glycerol was employed to repair total and partial tympanic membrane perforations in 43 patients who underwent tympanoplasty or tympano-mastoidectomy. Follow-up varied from nine to 54 months. Closure of the perforation was obtained in 35 patients (81.4 per cent). Success rate was higher in tympanoplasty (84.8 per cent) than in tympanomastoidectomies (70 per cent). Functional improvement in hearing level was obtained in 65.7 per cent of the cases. In 25.7 per cent the hearing levels were unchanged and in 8.57 per cent they became worse. It was concluded that human amniotic tissue is an adequade material for tympanic membrane repair.