ABSTRACT

The subset of erythema multiforme cases are associated with primary or recurrent Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections and this disease is known as Herpes virus associated erythema multiforme (HAEM). In the cutaneous lesions of the cases with HAEM, about 67 % of the patients was attributed to HSV-1, 28 % to HSV-2, and 5 % to HSV-1 and 2 co-infection may reflect the distribution of HSV subgroups as in general population. A 17-year-old boy presented with target lesions on his hands and feet for 2 years following the cold sore. He was diagnosed as erythema multiforme according to his dermatological examination and histopathologic findings and HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were detected in his vesicular skin lesions with real-time PCR method. The patient took acyclovir in the treatment dosage firstly and and then suppression dose. Cutaneous lesions improved in a short time. We present this HAEM patient because of the detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 together in his cutaneous lesions.