A Case of Herpes - Associated Erythema Multiforme Treated with Thymopentin

Kwon, Yoon Hee; Park, Chul Jong; Kim, Hyung Ok; Kim, Chung Won

Abstract

Herpes-associated erythema multiforme(HAEM) is a common subtype of erythema multiforme (EM) which usually develops 1-3 weeks after the recurrent herpetic episodes. The role of HSV in the pathogenesis of EM has not been fully defined. Recent studies, however, suggest that the host immune response to HSV, especially cell-mediated immune mechanism, is critical to the development of HAEM and, based on these findings, a variety of immunomodulating agents have been tried for the treatment of recurrent EM. Thymopentin, an immunomodulator that influences the maturation of thymocyte and mature T cell function, has been used as a therapeutic agent for various autoimmune diseases and recurrent HSV infection. A 37-year-old man with HAEM, who had failed to respond to intermittent acyclovir therapy for about 5 years, was treated with a subcutaneous injection of thymopentin 50mg three times a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The EM lesions were completely cleared 5 weeks after starting the treatment, without any sigrificant side effects. We herein, report a case of HAEM who has been treated with a 6-week schedule of thymopentin therapy and has showed no recurrence for the 6 months of follow-up period.