Bell palsy and herpes simplex virus: identification of viral DNA in endoneurial fluid and muscle

Article Abstract:

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) may play a role in the development of Bell palsy. Researchers analyzed samples of facial muscle tissue samples, facial nerve fluid samples, and blood samples of 14 patients with Bell palsy, 9 patients with the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, and 12 surgical patients (the control group). They tested these samples for DNA evidence of HSV-1, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. HSV-1 DNA was present in 11 of the 14 tissue samples (79%) taken from patients with Bell palsy. Varicella-zoster virus DNA was present in 8 of 9 tissue samples (89%) taken from patients with the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. There was no DNA of any of the three viruses in the tissue control samples. The percentage of patients with blood level antibodies to HSV-1 were highest in the group of patients with Bell palsy (92%) as compared to the controls (56%) and the patients with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (44%).

Herpes simplex virus, Paralysis, Facial, Facial paralysis

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Superantigens and microbial pathogenesis

Article Abstract:

Microbial superantigens may play an important role in the development of different types of autoimmune disease. Superantigens are proteins produced by microorganisms that affect certain populations of T-cells. Superantigens bind to a different part of T-cell receptors and cause a larger T-cell response than other types of antigens. They may cause a different type of T-cell response in the laboratory than inside the body. Staphylococcus aureus makes a group of toxic proteins with superantigen-like activity. These toxins and other bacterial superantigens have been associated with different toxic syndromes. Bacterial superantigens have also been associated with the post-streptococcal infection autoimmune diseases, rheumatic fever, and glomerulonephritis. Different fungi and viruses produce superantigens that may affect the development and progression of different diseases.

Editorial, Autoimmunity, Microorganisms, Antigens

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