Herpes simplex antigen in immune complexes of patients with erythema multiforme: presence following recurrent herpes simplex infection

Abstract

Serum samples from patients with erythema multiforme (EM) were examined for the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen in immune complexes using the human lymphoblastoid Raji cell radioimmunoassay. Raji cell-bound immune complexes from 8 of 12 patients with EM after HSV infection and 4 of 4 patients with EM of uncertain cause had increased anti-HSV binding, while patients with EM after drug exposure and patients with recurrent HSV infections without EM binding in the same range as controls. Viral cultures for XSV of immune complexes eluted from Raji cells were negative. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation studies of serum samples of patients with EM after HSV infection showed HSV antigen in large MW fractions. The HLA typing of lymphocytes from 16 patients with EM after HSV infection was not different from that of controls. Immune complexes composed of antibody and HSV antigen are present in serum samples of patients with EM after HSV inection and some cases of EM of uncertain cause and may mediate the pathogenesis of these disorders.