Erythema multiforme major associated with CMV infection in an immunocompetent patient Article

Vitiello, M, Echeverria, B, Elgart, G et al. (2011). Erythema multiforme major associated with CMV infection in an immunocompetent patient . 15(2), 115-117. 10.2310/7750.2011.10020

cited authors

  • Vitiello, M; Echeverria, B; Elgart, G; Kerdel, F

authors

abstract

  • Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection usually remains asymptomatic in immunocompetent adults, and few cases of complicated disease in nonimmunosuppressed patients have been reported. Erythema multiforme (EM), an acute and self-limiting skin eruption characterized by a typical targetoid lesion that may also affect the mucosa, is a hypersensitivity reaction that usually occurs after herpes simplex virus infection or use of certain drugs and resolves without complications in healthy individuals. To our knowledge, CMV infection has been associated with EM in only six patients. Objective: We present a case of an EM caused by CMV infection in a 35-year-old nonimmunosuppressed patient who was successfully treated with ganciclovir. Conclusion: Our report, like other similar reports found in the literature, suggests that CMV can trigger EM in apparently healthy individuals. Intravenous ganciclovir appears to be a good treatment option in these cases. © 2011 Canadian Dermatology Association.

publication date

  • March 1, 2011

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 115

end page

  • 117

volume

  • 15

issue

  • 2