Erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis were considered in the past to be
different aspects in the spectrum of a single disease. Using standard histology and
immunochemistry we present evidence that the inflammatory infiltrates of erythema
multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis are strikingly different both in density and nature.
Erythema multiforme has a high density cell infiltrate rich in T-lymphocytes. By contrast, toxic
epidermal necrolysis is characterized by a cell-poor infiltrate in which macrophages and …