Erythema multiforme L51.0

Ferdinand v. Hebra first described erythema exsudativum multiforme in his textbook in 1860 as a purely cutaneous, polymorphic erythema (exanthema) with a benign course. In 1876, clinically severe similar cases with skin and mucous membrane involvement were described. In 1922, the syndrome described by Stevens and Johnson, a febrile exanthema with stomatitis and purulent conjunctivitis, was published. In 1956, the term toxic epidermal necrolysis was created by Lyell (Lyell syndrome).

Relatively common, polyetiologic, mucocutaneous inflammatory syndrome characterized by an acute to subacute, self-limited exanthema prone to recurrence with characteristic, well-defined, targetoid (disc-in-disc structure with heterogeneous ring formations, possibly also central blistering), non-confluent plaques (so-called typical cockades) up to 1.0-3.0 cm in size. (disc-in-disc structure with heterogeneous ring formations, possibly also central blistering), non-confluent plaques measuring a maximum of 1.0-3.0 cm (typical cockades), as well as possible mucosal involvement (oral mucosa, conjunctiva, genital and anal mucosa).

The classic erythema multiforme (EM minor variant) is mainly caused by herpes simplex viruses. A mostly mild involvement of the lips/mouth mucosa can be detected in 20-70% of patients. A few patients suffer a recurrent form with recurring attacks over months and years. The variant of EM described in children is often triggered by mycoplasma(Mycoplasma pneumoniae) (see RIME below).

The clinically distinguishable "erythema multiforme majus" is usually a single, severe mucocutaneous inflammation, usually the expression of a cytotoxic hypersensitivity reaction to drugs. Clinically, typical and atypical cockade formations are found.

The following variants can be distinguished on the basis of different clinical forms:

• Erythema (exsudativum) multiforme minor: mild (classic) form, which is mainly triggered by herpes simplex infections. Involvement of the lip and oral mucosa is observed in 20-70% of cases. Some cases recur. A recurrent course over many years is possible (recurrent erythema multiforme)
• Erythema (exsudativum) multiforme major: this severe, usually single, extremity variant with severe erosive mucosal involvement is drug-induced (cytotoxic hypersensitivity reaction) and is close to Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Typical and/or atypical cicatrices are detectable. In the major form, skin exfoliations are <10% in contrast to SJS (<10% of KOF)
• Fuchs syndrome: Clinical variant of erythema multiforme major with exclusive involvement of the conjunctiva and oral mucosa.
• See also Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption

In principle, EM must be distinguished from epidermal necrolysis (EN), an epidermolytic disease entity that combines the two previously separate clinical pictures - Stevens-Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis - under the diagnosis of EN.

Predominantly occurring in young adults (2nd-4th decade of life), also occurring in children, mostly after mycoplasma infections (see Mycoplasma pneumoniae below) m:w=1:1; no known ethnic prevalence.

Genetics: There is evidence of a genetic predisposition to EEM with the following HLA associations: HLA-DQw3, DRw53, AW33. HLA associations play an increasingly minor role in current pathogenetic considerations.

Infections: In the majority of adolescents and adults, herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) infections precede the exanthema or appear clinically after the onset of the exanthema. Using molecular biological methods, HSV-DNA could be detected in lesional skin. It can be assumed that herpes antigens expressed by keratinocytes (this may also apply to other microbial antigens) lead to a ^CD8+, cytotoxic immune reaction and keratinocyte apoptosis (satellite cell necrosis). The historical interpretation as "immune complex vasculitis" is outdated.

Associations with other infectious diseases such as HSV type II (HSV-2), varicella, parapoxviruses(Orf virus), parvovirus B19, hepatitis C, SARS-CoV-2 (Thielmann CM et al. 2022), Histoplasma capsulatum, EBV infections, streptococci or mycoplasma (mycoplasma infections occur more frequently in children - see below). Mycoplasma pneumoniae - see also RIME) have been reported.

More rarely, EM has been associated with severe mycotic or Gardnerella vaginalis infections.

EEM and SARS-CoV-2: In a cross-sectional analysis (n= 43,547 patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection), the risk of EM was 6.68 times higher than in patients without COVID-19 (Saleh W et al. 2024).

Vaccinations: Vaccinations (mumps-rubella vaccinations, hepatitis B vaccinations, vaccinations with the polyvalent HPV vaccine) often precede erythema multiforme. At 2.7, the risk of developing EM after a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is significantly higher than in the general population. The prevalence of EM after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination differs significantly from that of the general population (Saleh W et al. 2024).

Occurs mainly in young adults, low androtrophy. Frequency peak: 20 - 40 LJ. Rarely in infants.

EM minoravriante: back of the hands, palms and soles of the feet, neck, face and neck, extensor sides of the upper extremity; grouped in the elbow area, more rarely the knee. The trunk can also be affected (see Fig.).

Mild (mostly oral) mucosal involvement (lips, buccal mucosa and tongue / erythema multiforme - minor form ) in about 50% of cases.

Erythma multiforme-majus: extremity on the extensor side, in children often trunk-emphasized.

Within 48-72 hours, a disseminated, usually symmetrical, asymptomatic or slightly burning to itchy exanthema develops, which may also occur in groups in the elbow or knee area. The multiforme exanthema develops rapidly and relapses within a few days with a few to hundreds of lesions. The disseminated arrangement is the usual one, but linear formations are also possible.

Initially there are reddish papules 0.1-0.3 cm in size, which expand within 24 hours to form plaques 3-4 cm in size that can be easily demarcated from the healthy skin. Their color is reddish-livid, rarely also hemorrhagic. The center can sink in, show a tendency to regress with fading, but can also develop in the opposite direction - intensifying with a purple component or blistering. Through spurts of activity, which in turn emanate from the center, concentric rings develop in a wave-like manner (shooting target phenomenon - cockade lesions). The cockade lesions usually remain single, but can also merge into 8-formations. Their size remains limited to an area of max. 4-5 cm, even when 2 lesions are confluent. Cockades heal within 10-21 days. The lesions of classic EM do not form necroses and heal without scarring. Lymphadenitis may occur if the oral mucosa is affected. There is no infestation of internal organs.

The histologic picture corresponds to that of classic acute cytotoxic interface dermatitis.

To be distinguished are:

• Early stage: Basket-weave orthokeratotic stratum corneum, edema of the papillary body with sparse lymphocytic infiltrate, scattered eosinophilic granulocytes, marked exocytosis with condensation of lymphocytes in the lower epithelial layers. Few dyskeratotic keratinocytes (amorphous eosinophilic cytoplasm with pyknotic condensed nuclei). Marked hydropic degeneration of the lower epithelial cell layers.
• Later stage: Basket-weave orthokeratotic stratum corneum, marked intra- and subepidermal edema to subepithelial blistering; vacuolar degeneration of epidermis. Vigorous lymphocytic infiltrate with variable admixture of eosinophilic granulocytes. Numerous dyskeratotic keratinocytes, which may also be aggregated into nests.

• Clinical:
  • Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis(Sweet syndrome): Clinically and morphologically similar in the early phase of the disease. However, the erythema exsudativum multiforme cocardia are absent in Sweet's syndrome. Always fever, severe feeling of illness and neutrophilic leukocytosis.
  • Polymorphic light dermatosis: Occurs after UV exposure (sun pattern!); severe itching, never involving the mucous membranes.
  • Acute urticaria: Clinical determination of wheals (prove volatility by marking). No erythema multiforme cocardia.
  • Urticarial vasculitis: markedly intermittent chronicity. Small-spotted, maculo-papular, itchy or painful exanthema accompanied by fever attacks. Neutrophilic leukocytosis is possible. Frequent arthralgias and arthritides; no erythema exsudativum multiforme cocardia. Swelling of lymph nodes. Possibly positive ANA and signs of systemic lupus erythematosus. Histologically, signs of vasculitis are diagnostic.
  • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A picture similar to erythema exsudativum multiforme may develop, particularly in highly acute courses with disseminated plaques. Histology and immunohistology are diagnostic.
  • Drug exanthema (maculo-papular): No real DD, as erythema exsudativum multiforme can be triggered by drugs. A maculo-papular drug erythema can be diagnosed if a connection with altered or intercurrent drug administration can be established.
  • Bullous pemphigoid: In some cases, especially in the initial phase of bullous pemphigoid, the pioneering blisters may be absent. This eliminates the leading clinical symptom of "bulging (firm) blisters" and the clear clinical classification as a blistering disease. Histology and IF are conclusive.
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome: Initial febrile, catarrhal prodromal symptoms, generalized lymphadenopathy, liver and spleen involvement. Always mucosal manifestations. Skin manifestations of varying extent: from a few atypical cockades with a maximum of two zones to an extensive, scarlatiniform exanthema. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, in contrast to EEM, shows no(!) shooting-disk-like efflorescences, but rather trunk-emphasized, so-called "atypical cockades" with a maximum of two zones. In addition, unlike erythema multiforme, it can develop into toxic epidermal necrolysis(TEN).
  • RIME/MIRM differs from herpes-associated erythema multiforme in its predominant mucosal involvement, relatively sparse skin findings, prevalence in younger patients and excellent prognosis. There is a clear association with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.
• Histologically

  : Note! There are smooth transitions between erythema exsudativum multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Histologically, all diseases with (occasional) subepidermal blistering must be considered ( dermatitis solaris, graft-versus-host disease, ictus, lichen planus bullosus, lichen sclerosus et atrophícus, polymorphic light dermatosis, systemic amyloidosis, porphyria cutanea tarda).

  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN ): Subepidermal blister, broad necrosis of the entire epidermis, pronounced dermal edema. Only slight, diffuse lymphocyte infiltration; erythrocyte extravasations.
  • Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS): As previously with TEN; blistering but subcorneal.
  • Drug reaction, fixed: Interface dermatitis with numerous apoptotic keratinocytes, lichenoid and perivascular inflammatory reaction of the upper and middle (usually also the deep) dermis; usually pronounced pigment incontinence.
  • Graft-versus-host disease, acute: Apoptotic keratinocytes, possibly subepithelial blistering, lichenoid infiltrate, eosinophilic granulocytes.
  • Urticaria: Only slight infiltrate; no apoptotic keratinocytes.
  • Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta: Interface dermatitis with irregular acanthosis, two-layered structure of the str. corneum with basket-weave-like orthokeratosis over a continuous parakeratosis zone. In the dermis rather wedge-shaped, perivascular or interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes.
  • Erythema elevatum diutinum: Rare disease! In the early stage always signs of leukocytoclastic vasculitis with leukocytoclasia and nuclear dust as well as fibrin in the vessel walls. Epidermis and skin appendages remain unaffected.

It is an acute, self-liminating disease. In this respect, symptomatic therapy is generally sufficient.

Local treatment with Lotio alba is usually sufficient. For more severe itching and pronounced skin infestation, medium-strength glucocorticoid-containing externals such as 0.1% triamcinolone cream (e.g., Triamgalen, Delphicort,Triamcinolone acetonide cream hydrophilic 0.025/0.05/0.1% (NRF 11.38.), or 0.05-1% betamethasone emulsion (e.g., ^Betagalen®, Betnesol, betamethasone valerate emulsion hydrophilic 0.025/0.05 or 0.1% (NRF 11.47.) are indicated. If the oral mucosa is affected, mouth rinses with antiphlogistic preparations (e.g., chamomile extracts).

If symptoms are pronounced, systemic glucocorticoids such as prednisone (e.g. Decortin Tbl.) 50-75 mg/day. Additionally, in case of itching, antihistamines, e.g. desloratadine (Aerius), levocetirizine (Xyzall), cetirizine (Zyrtec) p.o. In case of frequent (postherpetic) recurrences, oral prophylaxis with aciclovir for 1 year is indicated (10 mg/kg bw/day) (evidence level: IB).

Favorable. Self-limiting course with complete healing after 10 to 14 days.

EM-recidivans: Recurrent course is possible, with irregular occurrence of usually 1-2 recurrences/year, less frequently (up to 10 recurrences/year). In recurrent EM, the episodes are preceded in 20% to >80% by a herpes simplex infection (herpes labialis/genital herpes) (post-herpetic EM).

Prolonged lesional hyperpigmentation is possible.

More frequent episodes are observed in immunosuppressed patients.

Some patients recur seasonally, e.g. once a year in spring.

Depending on the expressivity, severity and localization of the skin and/or mucous membrane lesions, different names have been used in the past for erythema multiforme. The terms that are internationally accepted as entities are printed in bold:

• Erythema multiforme majus
• Erythema exsudativum multiforme major form
• Erythema multiforme minor (occurs preferentially on the exposed skin)
• Classic erythema exsudativum multiforme
• Dermatostomatitis Baader
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome/TEN (SJS/TEN) overlap syndrome
• Stevens-Johnson-Fuchs syndrome (syndroma muco-cutaneo-oculare Fuchs)
• Erythema multiforme recidivans
• Recurrent EEM
• Fiessinger-Rendu syndrome(ectodermosis érosive pluriorificielle)
• RIME (reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption)

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