Positive Herpesvirus IgG Antibodies in Lung Cancer Patients Finally Proved as Drug-induced Pemphigus.

BACKGROUND

Herpesvirus IgG antibody positivity can be a lifelong burden of disease replication and reinfection or recent viruses can be reactivated and play an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of herpesvirus [1]. However, sometimes serum IgG antibody positivity is of limited help in determining the onset of disease. We reported a case of herpesvirus IgG antibody positive in a patient with lung cancer who was initially misdiagnosed as herpes simplex and later confirmed drug-induced pemphigus (DIP) by histological and immunofluorescence studies.

METHODS

Appropriate laboratory tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence and histological tests were performed for diagnosis.

RESULTS

In lung cancer patients who were positive for herpesvirus IgG antibodies, were initially misdiagnosed as herpes simplex and eventually confirmed by histological and immunofluorescence examinations as DIP.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive herpesvirus IgG antibody is not a specific manifestation of herpesvirus infection. For patients with unexplained skin blisters, we should improve histological examinations as soon as possible to clarify the type of lesion.