Herpetiform eruption with leukocytoclasis: a distinctive clinico-pathological variety of erythema multiforme

Abstract

Six patients are described who experienced a prodromal period suggesting an infective process, followed by a distinctive polymorphous cutaneous eruption. The most striking lesion, present in all of them and giving the eruption a distinctive herpetiform appearance, included closely grouped vesicles resting on an erythematous base. Histopathological examination of these lesions showed features of dermal and epidermal types of erythema multiforme but with prominent leukocytoclasis. We suggest that the clinico-pathological picture of our patients may be considered a distinctive clinico-pathological variety of erythema multiforme.