<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute immune-mediated disease with multifactor etiology, which presents with symmetric target-like lesions on the skin. Probably the most common etiological factor of EM is viral infections, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes-associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) is an acute exudative dermatosis, caused mostly by HSV-1 and much rarely by HSV-2. A 44-year-old female patient with herpes associated erythema multiforme was consulted with initial appearance of typical target lesions on the dorsal surface of both hands, after long history of labial herpes episodes. The diagnostic algorithm included routine laboratory tests, histological examination and serologic test for HSV-1 and 2. Our first choice of treatment was acyclovir 5 x 200 mg/24 h and dexamethasone 4 mg/24 h, however due to increased anxiety and tachycardia reported by patient the corticosteroid therapy was discontinued and promethazine was initiated. The patient responded well to the therapeutic regimen and at the follow-up visit was in clinical remission. In conclusion, the diagnosis of HAEM is mainly clinical, when the patient develops target lesions and coexisting HSV infection is detected.</p>
</abstract>

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute immune-mediated disease with multifactor etiology, which presents with symmetric target-like lesions on the skin. Probably the most common etiological factor of EM is viral infections, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes-associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) is an acute exudative dermatosis, caused mostly by HSV-1 and much rarely by HSV-2. A 44-year-old female patient with herpes associated erythema multiforme was consulted with initial appearance of typical target lesions on the dorsal surface of both hands, after long history of labial herpes episodes. The diagnostic algorithm included routine laboratory tests, histological examination and serologic test for HSV-1 and 2. Our first choice of treatment was acyclovir 5 x 200 mg/24 h and dexamethasone 4 mg/24 h, however due to increased anxiety and tachycardia reported by patient the corticosteroid therapy was discontinued and promethazine was initiated. The patient responded well to the therapeutic regimen and at the follow-up visit was in clinical remission. In conclusion, the diagnosis of HAEM is mainly clinical, when the patient develops target lesions and coexisting HSV infection is detected.

Herpes Simplex Associated Erythema Multiforme: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Acta Medica Bulgarica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute immune-mediated disease with multifactor etiology, which presents with symmetric target-like lesions on the skin. Probably...

Herpes Simplex Associated Erythema Multiforme: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Published Online: Oct 22, 2021

Page range: 46 - 48

Received: Mar 16, 2021

Accepted: Apr 16, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2021-0036

Keywords
erythema multiforme, herpes simplex virus, herpes-associated erythema multiforme, clinical features

© 2021 G. Dzhelyatova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Herpes Simplex Associated Erythema Multiforme: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Published Online: Oct 22, 2021

Page range: 46 - 48

Received: Mar 16, 2021

Accepted: Apr 16, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2021-0036

Keywordserythema multiforme, herpes simplex virus, herpes-associated erythema multiforme, clinical features

© 2021 G. Dzhelyatova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
erythema multiforme, herpes simplex virus, herpes-associated erythema multiforme, clinical features