|
Erythema multiforme
is an inflammatory reaction, characterized by “target” or “iris”
skin lesions. Oral mucosa may be involved. Diagnosis is clinical.
Lesions spontaneously resolve but frequently recur. Erythema multiforme
can occur as reaction to a drug or an infectious agent such as herpes
simplex virus or mycoplasma. Suppressive antiviral therapy may be
indicated for patients with frequent and/or symptomatic recurrence
due to herpes simplex virus.
For years, erythema multiforme (EM) was thought to represent the milder end of a spectrum of drug hypersensitivity disorders that included Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Recent evidence suggests that EM is different from these other disorders.
Etiology
The majority of cases are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (HSV-1 more so than HSV-2), although it is unclear whether EM lesions represent a specific or nonspecific reaction to the virus. Current thinking holds that EM is caused by a T-cell–mediated cytolytic reaction to HSV DNA fragments present in keratinocytes. A genetic disposition is presumed given that EM is such a rare clinical manifestation of HSV infection, and several HLA subtypes have been linked with the predisposition to develop lesions. Less commonly, cases are caused by drugs, vaccines, other viral diseases (especially hepatitis C), or possibly SLE. EM that occurs in patients with SLE is sometimes referred to as Rowell's syndrome.
Symptoms and Signs
EM manifests as the sudden onset of asymptomatic, erythematous macules, papules, wheals, vesicles, bullae, or a combination on the distal extremities (including palms and soles) and face. The classic lesion is annular, with a violaceous center and pink halo separated by a pale ring (target or iris lesion). Distribution is symmetric and centripetal; spread to the trunk is common. Some patients have itching. Oral lesions include target lesions on the lips and vesicles and erosions on the palate and gingivae.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by clinical appearance; biopsy is rarely necessary. Differential diagnosis includes essential urticaria, vasculitis, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, linear IgA dermatosis, acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis; oral lesions must be distinguished from aphthous stomatitis, pemphigus, herpetic stomatitis, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Those with widely disseminated purpuric macules and blisters and prominent involvement of the trunk and face are likely to have Stevens-Johnson syndrome rather than EM.
Treatment
EM spontaneously resolves, so treatment is usually unnecessary. Topical corticosteroids and anesthetics may ameliorate symptoms and reassure patients. Recurrences are common, and empiric oral maintenance therapy with acyclovir 400 mg po q 12 h, famciclovir 250 mg po q 12 h, or valacyclovir 1000 mg po q 24 h can be attempted if symptoms recur more than 5 times/yr and HSV association is suspected or if recurrent EM is consistently preceded by herpes flares.
Last full review/revision October 2009 by Wingfield E. Rehmus, MD, MPH
Content last modified October 2009
| 
