Zur Virusätiologie der idiopathischen Facialisparese

In a prospective study paired sera of 14 patients suffering from Bell's palsy were examined for antibodies against Varicella-zoster Virus (VZV), Herpes-simplex Virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). For determination of antibodies against VZV, HSV, and CMV an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay was carried out. Indirect immunfluorescence was carried out to determine antibodies against EBV. Serum samples were taken within 5 days of Bell's palsy having been diagnosed and were compared with further serum samples that were taken 4 weeks later. No evidence could be furnished of significant differences between the antibody titers of the paired sera. The viral etiology of Bell's palsy due to an exogenous infection or by activation of a latent infection seems to be unlikely.