Incidence of herpes virus in saliva and tear of patients with peripheral facial palsy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bell palsy etiology remains uncertain. With the advent of the technique for detection of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus from herpes family have been reported on cerebrospinal fluid, endoneural fluid of the facial nerve, lacrimal secretion or saliva of patients with peripheral facial palsy. OBJECTIVE: To detect the incidence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicela zoster virus in saliva and tears of patients with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy. METHOD: Prospective cohort study to be developed at the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic and at the Ophthalmology Laboratory (LOFT) of Hospital São Paulo. Sample will be composed of patients with peripheral facial paralysis who are referred from the ready care. Saliva will be collected through sterile needleless syringe and tear through Schirmer tape and both will undergo PCR testing for DNA from herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicella zoster. Patients will also go through anamnesis and physical examination. (AU)