HIV and acute peripheral facial nerve palsy

Between April and December 1989, 32 consecutive patients referred to the neurology clinic with acute peripheral facial paralysis were studied. Patients with traumatic facial palsy, parotid gland disease, otitis media and meningitis were excluded. Each of the patients selected had HIV test done by ELISA and the positive ones confirmed by Western blot. 8 (25%) of the patients tested positive for HIV antibodies. Their mean age was 34 +/- 13 years with an age range of 15-53 years. 4 (50%) of the 8 seropositive patients had generalized lymphadenopathy, one herpes zoster, one generalized pruritic rash, two of the patients were asymptomatic. The seroprevalence of HIV antibodies in patients with acute peripheral facial paralysis is much lower than that reported in other African countries.