The Serology of Some Microorganisms in Patients with Erythema Multiform
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i3.3458Keywords:
Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Erythema multiforme, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Herpes Simplex virussAbstract
Background Erythema multiforme (EM) is a mucocutaneous syndrome characterized by typical and/ or atypical target-like lesions, with or without mucosal involvement. Etiology is often associated with the reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or other microorganisms, rarely due to medication. Many cases have no identifiable cause.
Objective To investigate the seropositivity rates for several microorganisms in EM.
Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 EM patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs group). Serology was done by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for herpes simplex virus 1/2 (HSV1/2) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Results There was no significant differences in the rates of IgM and IgG positivity for HSV1/2, CMV, EBV, and M. pneumoniae between the EM and HCs groups. Among EM patients, the rates of HSV-1/2-IgM positivity and MP-IgM positivity were higher in the group of under 30 years old compared to the group of ≥30 years old. The rate of positive MP-IgM was higher in the febrile group (77.78%) compared to the non-febrile group (15.56%); in the group with localized, acral lesions, the rate of positive EBV-IgM was higher, but the rate of positive HSV-1/2-IgG was lower compared to the group with diffuse lesions.
Conclusion The role of microorganisms in the pathogenesis of EM remains incompletely understood. However, in younger individuals (<30 years of age), EM may be associated with infection by HSV and/or M. pneumoniae. In febrile cases of EM, M. pneumoniae infection may be implicated, whereas localized, acral forms of EM may be associated with EBV infection.
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