Antiepiligrin (laminin 5) cicatricial pemphigoid complicated and exacerbated by herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.

A 50-year-old man with antiepiligrin (laminin 5) cicatricial pemphigoid (AeCP) involving the eyes, mouth and skin required a combination of systemic drug therapies to suppress the ocular disease. Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection of the mouth and pharynx precipitated an acute deterioration, with laryngeal involvement and an increase in oral ulceration. This is an unusual complication of long-term immunosuppression and illustrates some of the difficulties in the management of patients with AeCP. Clinical improvement was obtained with oral antiviral therapy and adjustment of his immunosuppressive regimen.