Polymerase chain reaction amplification of herpes simplex viral DNA from the geniculate ganglion of a patient with Bell's palsy.
Bell's palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of herpes simplex viral type 1 (HSV-1) genomic DNA in the geniculate ganglion of a patient who had Bell's palsy. This association suggests that in this patient, HSV-1 may have caused Bell's palsy. If HSV-1 is a cause of Bell's palsy, treatment with acyclovir may be beneficial. Additional studies should be done to establish the prevalence of HSV-1 as an etiologic agent of Bell's palsy.
Burgess
R C
RC
Dept of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242.
Michaels
L
L
Bale
J F
JF
Smith
R J
RJ
D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000821:virology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005830:Geniculate Ganglion / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral