Erythema multiforme; with special emphasis on postvaccinal erythema

Oral acyclovir for the prevention of herpes-associated erythema multiforme

Herpes simplex virus is the single most common precipitator of erythema multiforme. Typically, erythema multiforme lesions appear 10 to 14 days after a recurrent herpes simplex virus infection and attacks can be disabling when they occur at frequent intervals. Prior to the introduction of acyclovir (Zovirax), there was no effective therapy to prevent herpes-associated erythema multiforme. Four patients were treated with a maintenance dose of acyclovir for periods ranging from 10 to 26 months; there were no significant side effects from the drug and only one recurrence of erythema multiforme. Oral acyclovir may become the treatment of choice for herpes-associated erythema multiforme.

Graft-versus-host reaction: a pathogenetic principle for the development of drug allergy, autoimmunity, and malignant lymphoma in non-chimeric individuals. Hypothesis

It is proposed that the same diseases as those induced by the graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) will arise in nonchimeric individuals, if structures of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on lymphocytes are altered, either by viral infection or by chemicals, in such a way that autologous T lymphocytes react against them as the react in the GVHR to semiallogeneic (F1) lymphocytes differing at the MHC. Diseases in which a GVHR-like pathogenesis is suspected will be discussed.

Erythema exudativum multiforme in childhood

Images