Acute skin graft-versus-host disease with molecular features mimicking herpes simplex virus-associated erythema multiforme: report of three cases

HSV-associated erythema multiforme in a patient after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) is an acute and self-limiting mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reaction triggered by herpes virus infections. We reported a patient with HAEM after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A 55-year-old man received HSCT 7 months ago. He suffered from chronic graft versus host disease 4 months after HSCT and was treated with prednisone and tacrolimus. One week ago, he developed generalized macules with leukopenia. Dermatological examination revealed multiple iris-like erythemas on his trunk and extremities. The skin lesions and leukopenia resolved upon anti-HSV treatment.

Atypical cutaneous targetoid lesions after bone marrow transplant

A 69-year-old man with esophageal EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma status post allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) five months prior presented to his oncologist with three days of maculopapular rash that was initially diagnosed as grade 1 graft-versus-host disease and started on oral prednisone. However, due to worsening of the rash, the patient presented to dermatology clinic, where skin biopsy revealed a diagnosis of erythema multiforme (EM). The patient improved with the use of topical steroids. This case highlights the atypical morphology of post-BMT EM and the potential causes for this atypical appearance.

Late-onset acute graft-versus-host disease mimicking hand, foot, and mouth disease

Acute skin graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) classically presents as a pruritic erythematous maculopapular rash. We describe a patient who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and presented with a hand foot and mouth disease like clinical presentation. Histopathology was suggestive of acute GVHD. This case is being reported to make dermatologists aware of this unusual presentation of GVHD.