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

Abstract

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.