Persistent Rash with Chronic HCV Infection, Resoluting with Inteferon Treatment

ntroduction. Persistant erythema multiforme is a rare form of erythema multiforme with subacute typical and atypical lesions that occur during several months. Some cases are associated with chronic viral infection. Case report. A 23 year -old man, with a past history of intraveinous drug addiction and chronic hepatitis C virus infection, presented persistant erythema multiforme for 18 months. The histopathological picture was those of infectious erythema multiforme and the seric total complement level was low. Two courses of alpha-interferon treatment were quickly efficient on cutaneous lesions, and relapse occured after discontinuation. Discussion. In previously reported cases of persistant erythema multiforme, etiologic complementary investigations are not always specified. However, viral infections should be considered. In cases of chronic infection, hepatitis C may induce immune disorders through persistent antigenic stimulation.

Author: H PERROT, HOP ANTIQUAILLE, DERMATOL SERV, 1 RUE ANTIQUAILLE, F-69321 LYON 05, FRANCE; Source: ANNALES DE DERMATOLOGIE ET DE VENEREOLOGIE 1997 APR;124(4):329-331

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