Bell's Palsy and HLA-DR: A Possible Association

Abstract

No association has been found between HLA-A,B, or HLA-C antigens and Bell's palsy. We performed HLA-DR typing on 30 patients with Bell's palsy. Our results suggest possible associations with HLA-DR2, -DR4, -DRW6, and -DRW7 antigens. A significant association between HLA-DR and Bell's palsy may indicate a genetic basis for susceptibility to this disease.