Erythema Multiforme; Sixty Six Case Series with Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION: Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, self-limited, and sometimes recurrent skin disease considered to be a hypersensitivity reaction associated with certain medications and infections. EM has recently been recognized as a distinct disease differentiated from the Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients with EM.
METHODS: The retrospective study included 66 patients who received outpatient or inpatient treatment at the Dermatology department due to a diagnosis of EM between 2005 and 2017. Age, gender, etiological factor, recurrence, significant histopathological findings, presence of target lesions, mucosal involvement, and treatment methods were recorded.
RESULTS: The 66 patients included 22 (33.3%) men and 44 (66.7%) women with a mean age of 36.7±13.9 years. The etiological factor was Herpes labialis in 36.4%, medication in 31.8%, Orf infection in 13.6%, and no etiological factor was detected in 18.2% of the patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although EM is a common entity in dermatology practice, there are a limited number of studies reporting on EM. The results indicated that that EM can occur secondary to Orf infection.