Drug Rash With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms Research Articles

Case Report of Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Demonstrating Human Herpesvirus‐6 Reactivation

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome that presents with diffuse cutaneous eruptions, fever, and multiorgan involvement. Here we present a pediatric case of DRESS complicated by human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 reactivation. After 1 week of sulfasalazine, our patient developed a diffuse morbilliform eruption. Sulfasalazine was discontinued. The patient presented to the emergency department soon thereafter with worsening eruption, fever, rigors, facial edema, and lymphadenopathy. Methylprednisolone was initiated. Peripheral smear did not demonstrate eosinophilia but showed toxic granulation with atypical lymphocytes. Transaminase levels and white blood cell count quickly became elevated, with increased eosinophils, suggesting DRESS. During the methylprednisolone taper, our patient experienced symptom exacerbation, acute hepatitis, and HHV-6 seroconversion, indicating HHV-6 reactivation as the cause. As demonstrated by our patient, a decelerated methylprednisone taper is important because of potential symptom flaring during taper. Additionally, in the care of individuals with DRESS, HHV-6 is often tested for upon admission and not repeated. Delay in the rise of titers necessitates repeat testing.

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome and hepatitis induced by phenytoin

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome and hepatitis induced by phenytoin

Successful extracorporeal liver dialysis for the treatment of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced fulminant hepatic failure

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is a commonly used antibiotic that has been associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. DRESS syndrome is characterised by fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia and one or more major organ involvement. Although rare, TMP-SMZ is a recognised cause of fulminant hepatic failure. We report a 17-year-old Chinese male adolescent who presented with fever, myalgia, generalised maculopapular rash and lymphadenopathy after taking TMP-SMZ for acne vulgaris. He subsequently developed hepatic encephalopathy and was worked up for urgent liver transplantation. He responded well to extracorporeal liver dialysis (originally intended as a bridging therapy) and subsequently recovered without the need for liver transplantation. This case report highlights the importance of early recognition of TMP-SMZ-induced DRESS syndrome and the need for early discontinuation of the drug in the affected patient. Extracorporeal liver dialysis and transplantation should be considered in the management of TMP-SMZ-induced fulminant hepatic failure.

Sa1059 The Experience With Telaprevir Based HCV Therapy in Community Practice Does Not Mirror the Clinical Trials Data

Background: Telaprevir based triple therapy for HCV (hepatitis C virus) infected genotype 1 patients is now the standard of care as recommended by AASLD. Aims: To evaluate the complexity & morbidity of telaprevir based triple therapy for treatment of HCV. Methods: A retrospective review of 105 pts with HCV genotype 1, treated with telaprevir based triple therapy in a community based practice. All patients completed at least 12 weeks of therapy unless treatment was discontinued per futility guidelines or due to adverse events. Patients with cirrhosis Child class B/C, HIV co-infection, and patients after liver transplantation were excluded from the study. Results: The demographic data of all patients are listed in table 1. A majority of patients were African-American, suffered from advanced fibrosis, hypertension and genotype 1a infection. 62% of all patients had received prior interferon based therapy for HCV. The on-treatment progress, viral loads, discontinuation rates and serious adverse events are listed in table 2. Since, the treatment outcomes of a significant number of patients remain pending; this study does not aim to evaluate the efficacy of the above therapy. Adverse events experienced during treatment included anemia (n=74, 70%), fatigue (n=57, 54%), skin rash (n=50, 48%), pruritus (n=34, 32%), depression and anxiety (n=30, 29%), anorectal discomfort (n=23, 22%) and retinopathy (n=4, 4%). The skin rash was noted to be mild (n=27, 26%), moderate (n=14, 13%) or severe (10, 10%), with 2 patients (2%) experiencing DRESS (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms). Among patients that developed anemia (n=74), 16 (15%) were treated with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA), and 29 (28%) required ribavirin dose reductions. 14 (13%) patients discontinued telaprevir prematurely due to adverse events. Seventeen (16%) pts were hospitalized during treatment for anemia (n=9, 9%), rash (n=3, 3%), hepatic encephalopathy (n=1, 1%), hyponatremia (n=1, 1%), sepsis (n=1, 1%), and dehydration (n=2, 2%). 12 (11%) pts required blood transfusions with four patients requiring more than one transfusion. One patient died from septic shock during treatment. Conclusions: Real world community based treatment of HCVwith telaprevir based regimen carries a significantly higher rate ofmorbidity, relapse, treatment failure and serious adverse events than those published in the phase 3 trials. This can result in a considerable increase in treatment complexity and potentially higher costs. These data suggest that telaprevir based therapy should be implemented in a setting equipped to handle the complexity of current therapy for treatment of HCV genotype 1 patients. Table 1. Demographic Data (n=105)

HLA typing in Brazilian boys with aromatic antiepileptic drug-induced DRESS

We report two cases of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) associated with the use of carbamazepine and phenytoin in Brazilian boys tested for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II alleles. The clinical manifestations were similar: a maculopapular eruption progressing to exfoliative erythroderma, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Leukocytosis, atypical lymphocytes, and liver injury were also observed. Assessment of causality using the Naranjo algorithm established a "probable" relationship (score 6) in both cases. Case 1 patient presented the following results of HLA typing: HLA-A*02,29 B*44,50 C*06,16 DRB1*01,07 DQA1*01,02. Case 2 patient presented the following results of HLA typing: HLAA*23,24 B*39,53 C*04,07 DRB1*04,08 DQA1*03,05 DQB1*03,03. Neither of the cases reported here presented HLA typing similar to that strongly associated with the occurrence of DRESS in Asian or European patients.

Sulfasalazine-Induced Linear Immunoglobulin A Bullous Dermatosis with DRESS

Linear immunoglobulin (Ig) A dermatosis is an immune-mediated bullous disease characterized by linear deposits of IgA along the basal membrane. While usually idiopathic, it can occasionally be induced by drug exposure. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis being treated with sulfasalazine who developed linear IgA dermatosis and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). The dermatosis and associated symptoms resolved following withdrawal of the drug and treatment with systemic corticosteroids for 2 months. This is the first report of sulfasalazine-induced linear IgA dermatosis in association with DRESS and we believe that sulfasalazine should be added to the list of drugs that can cause linear IgA dermatosis.

Phenobarbital‐induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions are associated with CYP2C19*2 in Thai children

Aromatic anticonvulsant-induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), are fatal immune-mediated adverse drug reactions. CYP2C19, a cytochrome P450 isoform, plays a role in metabolic rate of aromatic anticonvulsant. HLA-B*1502 has also been demonstrated to be associated with carbamazepine-induced SJS-TEN. Forty case patients who were diagnosed with SCARs after initiation of phenobarbital (PB), phenytoin (PHT), or carbamazepine (CBZ) for 1-8wk and forty control patients who received PB, PHT, or CBZ at least 2months with no adverse drug reactions were enrolled in the study. The genotypes of CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, and HLA-B*1502 were analyzed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction technique. Clinical characteristics of SCARs patients who used different drugs were also analyzed. There was no significant difference in sex, onset of symptoms, laboratory results, treatment, and length of stay among patients with SCARs due to PB, PHT, or CBZ. The patients with CYP2C19*2 variant had a trend to have a likelihood to develop SCARs more than the patients with CYP2C19 wild type (OR=2.5, 95% CI (0.96-67.3) p=0.06). In subgroup analysis, the patients with CYP2C19*2 variant were at four times increased risk of SCARs from phenobarbital more than the patients with CYP2C19 wild type (OR=4.5, 95% CI (1.17-17.37) p<0.03). There was no association between the HLA-B*1502 and aromatic anticonvulsant-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). CYP2C19*2 variant may play a role in the genetic predisposition of SCARs from phenobarbital.

Pediatrician! Do You Know the Symptoms of DRESS Syndrome?

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome and may be observed after administration of many drugs. Clinical symptoms usually occur 2 to 8 weeks after drug introduction. Because DRESS syndrome is potentially life threatening, it is especially important to diagnose it early. Withdrawal of the drug which induced symptoms is the most important therapeutic option. DRESS syndrome appears mostly in adults. There are relatively few articles on the DRESS syndrome in children. The article presents a case of a 4-year-old girl with a life-threatening clinical course of DRESS syndrome with massive pulmonary involvement. The knowledge of DRESS syndrome clinical symptoms is essential for doctors of various specialties. It is especially important that general practitioners, pediatricians, and pediatric neurologists should be able to take this life-threatening syndrome into consideration for differential diagnosis.

A case of Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) related to rufinamide

Drug Rash (or Reaction) with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is a potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to drugs characterized by rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormalities, and involvement of internal organs. Initially coined in 1996, the term is used to refer to an idiosyncratic reaction to several drugs, the most common of which are carbamazepine, allopurinol, sulfasalazine, and phenobarbital. We report the first case of DRESS related to rufinamide in a ten year old boy with a history of a complex seizure disorder.

A large prospective European cohort study of patients treated with strontium ranelate and followed up over 3 years

Strontium ranelate has been available as an osteoporosis treatment in Europe since 2004. This article describes a large European observational survey of the use of strontium ranelate in clinical daily practice. A retrospective observational registry included 32,446 women consulting for postmenopausal osteoporosis in seven countries. Within the registry, 12,046 women were receiving strontium ranelate and were followed up over 3 years. The baseline characteristics of the follow-up cohort were similar to those of the whole registry cohort (age, 68.9 ± 10.3 years; body mass index, 25.6 ± 4.3 kg/m(2); lumbar spine T-score, -2.57 ± 0.85 SD; femoral neck T-score, -2.11 ± 0.86 SD). At baseline, 77 % of patients had at least one risk factor for osteoporosis, and 46 % had a previous history of osteoporotic fracture. Mean duration of follow-up was 32.0 ± 9.7 months, and treatment duration was 25.2 ± 13.7 months (24,956 patient-years of treatment). Persistence with strontium ranelate was 80 % at 1 year, 68 % at 2 years, and 64 % at 32 months; most patients (about 80 %) reported rarely omitting a dose. At least one emergent adverse event was reported in 2,674 (22 %) patients, most frequently gastrointestinal side effects. The crude incidence of venous thromboembolic events was 2.1/1,000 patient-years. No cases of hypersensitivity reactions, such as drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Steven-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis, were reported. During follow-up, a fracture occurred in 890 patients (7 %); 429 of the fractures were nonvertebral fractures. Our observational survey over 32 months indicated good rates of adherence with strontium ranelate and confirmed its good safety profile in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Agranulocytosis Induced by Proton Pump Inhibitors; Bevacizumab-Induced Oral Mucositis in Background of Cutaneous Plaque-Type Psoriasis; Amiodarone-Induced T-U Fusion; Vancomycin-Induced Thrombocytopenia without Isolation of a Drug-Dependent Antibody; Capecitabine-Induced Chest Pain Relieved by Diltiazem; Fatal Clindamycin-Induced Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome

The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) MedWatch program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting, preventable ADR to MedWatch, please consider sharing the account with our readers.

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in patients receiving strontium ranelate

We have reviewed 47 drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) cases associated to strontium ranelate reported up to March 2011 to the Marketing Holder. The main signs were skin rash, fever, face oedema hypereosinophilia and liver involvement. For ten patients, persistence of DRESS symptoms was reported at the latest news obtained, and DRESS was identified as the direct cause of death in one case. The maximum incidence of DRESS associated with strontium ranelate was 1/24,112 [95 % CI (1/14,859; 1/42,194)] newly treated patients in France. Because DRESS is a severe drug reaction, the occurrence of a rash in a patient treated with strontium ranelate should lead to prompt and permanent treatment discontinuation. This study aims to describe cases of DRESS reported to the Marketing Authorisation Holder worldwide for patients receiving strontium ranelate by practitioner or by regulatory authorities. Spontaneously reported hypersensitivity events from the strontium ranelate pharmacovigilance database since marketing authorisation (2004) to March 2011 were reviewed by an expert committee. Cases of DRESS were classified as established, probable, possible or no DRESS according to expert judgement. National incidences of DRESS were estimated in relation to the number of newly treated patients. Up to March 2011, 325 cases of strontium ranelate-induced hypersensitivity events were assessed from which 47 DRESS cases were confirmed. Mean age was 68.7 years and besides skin rash, the main signs and symptoms were hypereosinophilia, liver involvement, fever and face oedema. Median time to skin reaction was 33.5 days after treatment start. Most patients (62 %) recovered at the time of reporting or were recovering. For ten patients, persistence of DRESS symptoms was reported at the latest news obtained. Relapses were observed in a single case. The mortality rate was 8.5 %. The maximum incidence of DRESS associated with strontium ranelate was 1/24,112 [95 % CI (1/14,859; 1/42,194)] newly treated patients in France. DRESS is a well-identified and characterised adverse reaction to strontium ranelate. This risk should be integrated in the risk-benefit balance evaluation of patient treatment, and the occurrence of a rash should lead to prompt and permanent treatment discontinuation with careful follow-up.

The Price of Tumor Control: An Analysis of Rare Side Effects of Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma from the Ipilimumab Network

BackgroundIpilimumab, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody, has been approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and induces adverse events (AE) in up to 64% of patients. Treatment algorithms for the management of common ipilimumab-induced AEs have lead to a reduction of morbidity, e.g. due to bowel perforations. However, the spectrum of less common AEs is expanding as ipilimumab is increasingly applied. Stringent recognition and management of AEs will reduce drug-induced morbidity and costs, and thus, positively impact the cost-benefit ratio of the drug. To facilitate timely identification and adequate management data on rare AEs were analyzed at 19 skin cancer centers.Methods and FindingsPatient files (n = 752) were screened for rare ipilimumab-associated AEs. A total of 120 AEs, some of which were life-threatening or even fatal, were reported and summarized by organ system describing the most instructive cases in detail. Previously unreported AEs like drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), granulomatous inflammation of the central nervous system, and aseptic meningitis, were documented. Obstacles included patientś delay in reporting symptoms and the differentiation of steroid-induced from ipilimumab-induced AEs under steroid treatment. Importantly, response rate was high in this patient population with tumor regression in 30.9% and a tumor control rate of 61.8% in stage IV melanoma patients despite the fact that some patients received only two of four recommended ipilimumab infusions. This suggests that ipilimumab-induced antitumor responses can have an early onset and that severe autoimmune reactions may reflect overtreatment.ConclusionThe wide spectrum of ipilimumab-induced AEs demands doctor and patient awareness to reduce morbidity and treatment costs and true ipilimumab success is dictated by both objective tumor responses and controlling severe side effects.

Nevirapine-induced rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is an adverse reaction commonly occurring with antiepileptic agents. It was earlier referred to by various names such as dilantin hypersensitivity syndrome and anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome. It is characterized by the triad of fever, skin eruption, and systemic involvement. DRESS syndrome has also been reported with a number of other drugs including allopurinol, minocycline, terbinafine, sulfonamides, azathioprine, dapsone, and antiretroviral agents such as abacavir and nevirapine. We describe a rare case of nevirapine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome that was successfully treated with oral steroids.

Liver transplantation in a child with acute liver failure resulting from drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is characterized by a severe idiosyncratic reaction including rash and fever, often with associated hepatitis, arthralgias, lymph node enlargement, or hematologic abnormalities. The mortality rate is approximately 10%, primarily owing to liver failure with massive or multiple disseminated focal necrosis. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl treated with vancomycin because of a wound infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, who presented with non-specific symptoms, which progressed to acute liver failure, displaying the hallmarks of DRESS syndrome. With the presence of aggravated hepatic encephalopathy and azotemia, the patient was refractory to medical treatments, she received a living-donor liver transplantation, and a cure was achieved without any sign of recurrence. Vancomycin can be a cause of DRESS syndrome. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal disease.

DRESS Syndrome with Cerebral Vasculitis

DRESS (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome is a severe reaction triggered by drugs that manifests as pyrexia and eosinophilia with involvement of the skin and internal organs. We herein describe the case of a patient who developed hyperuricemia after receiving treatment for tuberculosis, then took allpurinol and developed DRESS syndrome with a contextual coma and right hemisyndrome. This report describes for the first time the presence of vasculitic cerebral involvement in a patient with DRESS syndrome. The cerebral vasculitis responded to treatment, showing clinical and instrumental remission. In cases such as this, allergic cerebral vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis because it can be treated if recognized early, thus leading to remission without the development of any sequelae.

Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Induced by Clindamycin

© 2013 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1363 Journal Compilation © 2013 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), also known as drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), is a severe, adverse drug reaction characterized by skin rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis and haematological abnormalities (1, 2). The presence of human herpes virus (HHV)-6 reactivation is considered to be a diagnostic criterion for DIHS but not for DRESS. The most common causative drugs are carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, mexiletine, dapsone, salazosulphapyridine, minocycline and allopurinol (3). We report here a case of DIHS/DRESS caused by clindamycin, which was confirmed using the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) and patch testing.

Wysypka polekowa z eozynofilią i objawami systemowymi (DRESS)

Wysypka polekowa z eozynofilią i objawami systemowymi (DRESS)

T-cell lymphoma presenting as drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is diagnosed by three criteria including cutaneous drug eruption, hematologic abnormalities, and systemic involvements. The hematologic abnormalities include presence of atypical lymphocytes or eosinophilia. The systemic involvements include lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, interstitial pneumonia, or carditis. We experienced a 41-year-old female patient who presented DRESS syndrome at initial visit, but finally manifested with T-cell lymphoma. The patient complained of erythematous pruritic plaques with itching on her abdomen and thigh. There was no initiating factor and she was diagnosed with urticarial dermatitis. After treatment with antihistamine and systemic steroid, she recovered from skin lesion. However, 1 month later, she came to emergency department with aggravated skin lesion after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for 3 days. On admission, she showed a fever, skin rash, atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood smear, and hepatitis. She was treated with systemic steroid under the impression of DRESS syndrome. Her symptoms began to improve, however, laboratory parameters were aggravated again. We performed bone-marrow biopsy because of her unusual progress. Finally she diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma and treated with allo-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. In conclusion, we report a case of T-cell lymphoma which presented as DRESS syndrome. If patients with DRESS syndrome present lymphadenopathy and atypical lymphocytes, and do not respond to anti-inflammatory treatment, we should consider underlying lymphoproliferative disease. (Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2013;1:280-283)

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome due to anti-TB medication

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, idiosyncratic, multi-system reaction characterized by the clinical triad of fever, rash, and internal organ involvement. The mortality rate is estimated to be 8%, especially among patients with liver involvement, so early recognition is imperative. Drugs commonly associated with the development of DRESS syndrome include anticonvulsants, long-acting sulfonamides, and anti-inflammatory medications; however, there are no reported cases implicating anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) medications. We report a case of DRESS syndrome from anti-TB therapy. A 68-year-old male with pulmonary TB presented with pruritic skin eruption and sore throat, 8 weeks after starting Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol (RIPE) therapy. He takes metformin and glyburide for diabetes. Physical exam was significant for diffuse, exfoliative erythematous macules with target lesions involving the entire skin surface, without mucosal involvement. Laboratory data was significant for mild transaminitis and new onset eosinophilia. Given suspicion of drug eruption, RIPE therapy was discontinued. Skin biopsy confirmed erythema multiforme. Despite discontinuation of the implicated medications, eosinophilia and transaminitis continued to worsen, and so systemic corticosteroids were started. After 4 weeks of discontinuation of RIPE therapy, the cutaneous eruption resolved and laboratory data returned to normal. The patient is finishing course of anti-TB with cycloserine and moxifloxacin. Upon follow up as outpatient, the rash was resolving and disappeared in 1 month. DRESS syndrome is always considered when there is high eosinophil counts and multisystem involvement with skin eruptions. It can be potentially life threatening with certain drugs and infectious agents in predisposed individuals. It is imperative to discontinue the causative medication and avoid re-exposure.