Background and Aims: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder diagnosed in otologic and audiologic practices. Its accompanying symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, and permanent hearing loss affecting negatively the life quality of affected patients. Many viruses have been involved in the occurrence of SSNHL especially Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I and II. This study was attempted to explore the association between SSNHL and HSV infection using RT-PCR.
In this case- control study, 56 patients with SSNHL occurring within a 72-hr period were selected as case group and 56 participants who had no recent history of this disease were assigned into control group. Applying real-time PCR, we tracked the genome of the HSV virus and measured its loading.
Control group comprised of 31 (55.4%) male and 25 (46.6%) female and the case group included 26 (46.4%) male and 30 (53.6%) female. The genomic DNA of HSV was measured by Real-time PCR in both groups, and no viral genome was detected.
The findings of the current investigation suggest no relation between HSV and SSNHL. Further research conducting on larger population is recommended to obtain more detailed results.