Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms versus Stevens-Johnson syndrome - A case that indicates a stumbling block in the current classification

Ronni Wolf*, Batya Davidovici, Hagit Matz, Keren Mahlab, Edith Orion, Zev M. Sthoeger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A 43-year-old man developed a skin eruption characterized by 'macules with blisters' typical to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, as well as erosions of the lips and buccal mucosa, 2 weeks after he had started treatment with lamotrigine. He had a fever (39.6°C), elevated liver enzymes and atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. This undoubtedly reflects a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome induced by lamotrigine, but it can also fulfill the criteria of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic signs. A case that precisely fits the definition of two syndromes that have different characteristics, different treatments and different prognoses indicates that there is a flaw in the classification.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)308-310
Number of pages3
JournalInternational Archives of Allergy and Immunology
Volume141
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adverse drug reaction
  • Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic signs
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome

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