Herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivation and antiviral therapy in patients with acute peripheral facial palsy.
Auris Nasus Larynx
; 28 Suppl: S13-7, 2001 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11683332
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Recent studies provide compelling data for the hypothesis that herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (Bell's palsy). The present study analyzed the severity of facial palsy in patients with HSV-1 reactivation and sought to determine the efficacy of acyclovir-prednisone therapy for these patients. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
In total, 176 patients, clinically diagnosed with Bell's palsy. were divided into three groups by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serological tests--31 patients with HSV-1 reactivation, 45 patients with VZV reactivation (zoster sine herpete) and 100 patients without HSV-1 or VZV reactivation (Bell's palsy).RESULTS:
The difference in the worst grade of facial palsy between patients with zoster sine herpete and Bell's palsy was significant (P = 0.01 10, Mann-Whitney U-test). In contrast, no difference in the severity of palsy was observed between patients with HSV-1 reactivation and Bell's palsy. Twelve patients received acyclovir-prednisone treatment within 7 days of onset based on positive PCR results and ten of the 12 (83%) recovered completely. In contrast, 14 patients with HSV-1 reactivation received prednisone treatment because their PCR tests were performed at a later date; ten of these 14 (71%) recovered completely. The difference in the cure rate between the two treatment groups was not significant (P > 0.05, Fisher exact test).CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that the severity of palsy in patients with HSV-1 reactivation is similar to that in patients with Bell's palsy and suggest that early diagnosis of HSV-1 reactivation by PCR and subsequent acyclovir-prednisone therapy do not improve recovery from facial palsy.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Acyclovir
/
Prednisone
/
Herpesvirus 1, Human
/
Bell Palsy
/
Herpes Simplex
/
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Type of study:
Screening_studies
Limits:
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Auris Nasus Larynx
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: