John Libbey Eurotext




Erythema multiforme after resolution of herpes zoster by acyclovir
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 12, Number 4, 370-2, July - August 2002, Cas cliniques
Free Article
Author(s) : Ikuko ONISHI, Saburo KISHIMOTO
Summary : We report the clinical and histopathological features of erythema multiforme which developed in a healthy 49-year-old Japanese man 4 weeks after resolution of cervical zoster by acyclovir therapy. Typical target lesions spread rapidly over his extremities and trunk. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen from the target lesion revealed "silent dermis" and scattered, individually necrotic keratinocytes. Because of the delay between the infection and the onset of erythema multiforme and histologically "silent dermis", it seems likely the pathogenesis of erythema multiforme following resolved herpes zoster differs from that in herpes simplex-associated erythema multiforme. This case lends further support to the view that zoster should be considered as a possible cause of erythema multiforme.
Keywords : acyclovir, delayed hypersensitivity reaction, erythema multiforme, varicella-zoster virus.

Erythema multiforme after resolution of herpes zoster by acyclovir