Herpes Simplex Virus as a Cause Of Erythema Multiforme

Studies are reported on a patient with a seven-year history of recurrent attacks of erythema multiforme. In each instance, herpes simplex of the face preceded the generalized vesiculobullous eruption by seven to ten days. Intradermal skin tests with a formaldehyde inactivated herpes simplex antigen produced bullae which appeared to be erythema multiforme clinically and histologically. This is taken as evidence that erythema multiforme can be due to a hypersensitivity to the herpes simplex virus, and represents the first time erythema multiforme has been reproduced by an intradermal test.