Detection of Herpes Simplex and Varicella-Zoster Viruses in Patients with Bell's Palsy by the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique

Abstract

HSV-1 or VZV DNA was detected in 10% of patients with Bell's palsy in the present study. Viral replication might already have declined in many cases at the onset of the palsy. Use of an HSV-1/VZV polymerase chain reaction on a muscle biopsy specimen or CSF does not seem to be the method of choice for rapid etiologic diagnosis in the acute phase of Bell's palsy.