Changes in Gut Bacteria and Metabolites Linked to Herpetic Facial Nerve Pain

Herpetic trigeminal neuralgia (HTN) is a neuropathic pain disorder linked to varicella-zoster virus invasion of the trigeminal nerve.

• The mechanisms underlying HTN are not well understood.
• Existing evidence suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria and metabolic changes may influence chronic pain through the gut-brain connection.
• The specific roles of gut microbiota and metabolism in HTN have not been systematically investigated.

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