Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) and HIV infection in Togo

Objectives – The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV in a group of 150 patients with PFP and to study the semiological and evolutive aspect of PFP in patients with or without HIV. Material and methods – This semilongitudinal study was conducted during 6 years (1990–1995) at the Lome teaching hospital. Patients consulting for PFP had the HIV test and regular controls. Results – The HIV seroprevalence was 52%. The average age was 31.48.81 years. There was no difference on clinical features between patients with or without HIV infection. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in patients without HIV infection, but it showed pleiocytosis in patients with HIV infection (87.88%). Of the HIV carriers 14% presented a recurrence. A total of 26.32% of the patients screened in 1990 developed AIDS when followed up. Conclusion – Peripheral facial paralysis is frequently associated to HIV infection. An HIV test must be proposed to all patients with PFP in Africa.