Study of Facial Palsy due to Herpes Virus Infection

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

1. Experimental animal model of facial palsy induced byherpes simplex virusIn the present study we succeeded in producing an acute and transient facial paralysis simulating Bell's palsy by inoculating HSV to the auricle or tongue of mice. The facial paralysis developed between 6 to 9 days after virus inoculation and continued 3 to 7 days, and then recovered spontaneously. Histopathologically, severe nerve swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar degeneration were manifested in the affected facial nerve. These findings indicated viral neuritis and were similar to the histopathology demonstrated in early stage of Bell's palsy. HSV antigens were also detected in the facial nerve and nucleus. We also confirmed the presence of latent infection of HSV in the geniculate ganglion by cocultivation method. As a next step, we are now attempting to reactivate this viruses and to make an animal model of facial paralysis.2. Clinical study for Bell's palsy and Ramsey Hunt syndromeSerologic studies have conducted in 30 patients with Bell's palsy and 11 patients with Ramsey Hunt syndrome by complement fixation test(CF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA). Eight of 11 patients demonstrated significant rise in VZV antibody titer between acute and convalescent phase specimens. However, none of patient with Bell's palsy showed a significant rise in HSV antibody titer between acute and convalescent phase, even though higher percentage of positive HSV antibody titer were demonstrated in patients with Bell's palsy than matched controls, even though few showed significant rise in titer between acute and convalescent phase specimens.