Noninvasive Techniques for Management of Erythema Multiforme

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology

Background:

• A case report detailing an 18-year-old male with a history of tuberculosis and herpes infection presenting with severe oral lesions.
• The patient experienced significant weight loss due to dysphagia, complicating the clinical presentation.

Observation:

• Extensive, painful, and ulcerated oral lesions covered by pseudomembrane were observed on the labial and buccal mucosa, tongue, and soft palate.
• Laboratory findings revealed Epstein-Barr virus positivity and salivary detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7).

Findings:

• The clinical presentation and viral detection in saliva led to a diagnosis of virus-induced erythema multiforme (EM).
• Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was employed as the primary treatment modality for the oral lesions.

Implications:

• The study demonstrates the successful application of noninvasive diagnostic techniques, such as salivary tests, for identifying virus-induced EM.
• Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) proved highly effective, leading to substantial pain reduction and rapid healing within 24 hours and complete resolution in five days.
• Noninvasive methods, including salivary diagnostics and aPDT, are proposed as valuable tools for managing virus-induced erythema multiforme.