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Mumps, cervical zoster, and facial paralysis: coincidence or association?

Kenji Kondo1, Kaori Kanaya1, Shintaro Baba1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.

Case Reports in Otolaryngology
|March 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Mumps virus may trigger facial paralysis by weakening the immune system, allowing latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) to reactivate. This case study explores the link between mumps, facial paralysis, and VZV reactivation.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Peripheral facial paralysis is occasionally associated with mumps, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood.
  • Recurrent viral infections can impact immune system regulation, potentially leading to opportunistic reactivation of latent viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of mumps virus in the pathogenesis of peripheral facial paralysis.
  • To explore the relationship between mumps infection, herpes zoster, and immune system dysregulation in a pediatric patient.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of an 8-year-old girl presenting with simultaneous peripheral facial paralysis, cervical herpes zoster, and mumps sialadenitis.
  • Serological testing for IgM antibodies against mumps virus and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Main Results:

  • The patient exhibited serological evidence of recent mumps infection and VZV reactivation.
  • Simultaneous occurrence of peripheral facial paralysis, ipsilateral cervical herpes zoster, and bilateral mumps sialadenitis was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Mumps virus may dysregulate the host immune system, creating an environment conducive to the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus.
  • This immune dysregulation by mumps virus could be a contributing factor to the development of peripheral facial paralysis and concurrent herpes zoster.

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