Compared characteristics of peripheral facial paralysis according to the HIV status in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Facial paralysis is a well-described manifestation of HIV infection. We rep ort 27 cases of peripheralfacial paralysis observed at Bobo-Dioulasso Hospi tal in a prospective study over a period of 9 months., 55 of the cases were HIV positive and 12/15 (80%.) were in the 20-39 age group. Nine out of I I females and 6 out of 16 males were seropositive. 13 of the cases were at s tage B of CDC classification and 2 at stage C. ESR was elevated in all the HIV patients. CSF examination revealed lymphocytic pleiocytosis, elevated p roteins and a positive HIV serology. CD4 counts were obtained in 8 cases an d were under 400/mm(3) in 4 cases. The clinical presentation was more sever e in HIV seropositives with a longer duration of symptoms. Isolated periphe ral facial paralysis associated with an elevated ESR in young adults sugges t HIV infection and should lead to HIV counselling and testing.