Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by isoniazid and pyrazinamide in a child

Abstract

An 8-year-old female with cervical lymph node tuberculosis, received rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Two weeks later, she developed a fever and a generalized erythematous rash covered with pustules. Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis diagnosis was confirmed by a skin biopsy. Antitubercular therapy was discontinued. Drug causality was found using oral provocation tests and patch tests. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions to first-line antituberculosis drugs are common. However, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is rare. It is a severe form of cutaneous drug reaction, primarily associated with beta-lactam antibiotics, and clinically characterized by non-follicular pustules on erythematous skin.